I have a 3 year old son, who has started his new phase in life: going to Kindergarten. In mornings, I drop him to his kindergarten & after that I head off to my office. The morning ritual of dropping my son to his school, is one of my most treasured moments, as we get time to spend with one another, talking, walking, bonding with each other.
On one such occasion, I was holding my son's hand & waiting on the pavement outside our Community gate for a Taxi. There was a young couple standing few paces away from us waiting for taxi, probably headed to their office. They were very attractive, well dressed, sophisticated, well groomed urban couple. I spotted a taxi coming from the other side of the road & waved my hand & called out Taxi! Luckily, I managed to catch the cab driver's attention & he drove his cab towards us. Since he was on the other side of the road & our destination was on the opposite direction I signalled the driver to make a U-Turn.
The cab steered it's way, towards this side of the street & came to an halt mid-way between Us & the Couple. I started walking towards the cab holding my son's hand, matching my pace to his small steps. The Beautiful Lady, rushed towards the cab, opened the door & sneaked in. The guy, was still hesitant & perplexed, he came near to the cab & had a short exchange of words with her (probably, telling her, it's not right moral values). He then looked at me sheepishly & told SORRY (poor soul, he lacks courage to do what he things is right) & got into the cab & drove off.
My Son, asked me "Pappa, why he said Sorry?".
It is normal for us to lose our temper, spoil our mood over such irresponsible & unjust act of others. Such emotions did start to empower me momentarily, but being a PARENT now, I have started to realise I have an opportunity each time to help my child learn a lesson, from the GREATEST TEACHER of all, i.e. LIFE.
So I quickly regained my calmness & refrained from getting into an impulsive reaction. I explained my son, what happened & told we should never become one of them. That particular unpleasant event at the start of our day, now turned into a Life's Lesson for my Son. He got lessons on Etiquettes, Good Behaviour, Respect for Rules, to make right judgement & build moral values, no school could have taught him better than Life itself.
I was also left behind with a philosophical thought by Life, "The real Beauty resides Inside..... what's the point in being Beautiful from outside, Ugly from inside'.