Importance of Gratefulness and Kindness

My Special Indian Angel

08 Jan 2020

Back in March, 2007 I signed up for a tour from New Delhi to Agra which would take us to see the Red Fort, Connaught Place, and of course the famous Taj Mahal. As we approached Agra, our bus was stalled in traffic for more than an hour because of an accident where a truck hit a sacred cow. There were as many people helping the injured as there were attending to the cow. It was an experience I had never witnessed in any other country out of the 102 I had already visited up to that point. I knew that today was going to be an eye-opening day. But I had no idea that my heart and soul were going to be touched by an angel.

We arrived near the entrance to the mysterious Taj Mahal and my heart began thumping with anticipation. My grandmother had visited the Taj Mahal when she was a travel agent in the 1950’s and had always told me that it was her favourite man-made structure in the world and she knew what she was talking about since she had visited over one hundred countries as well. She also mentioned that its beauty was unsurpassed. As she had just passed away approximately one week before my trip, I dedicated my visit to her memory. I felt that she was with me, guiding my spirit as I approached the Taj Mahal.

As I walked towards the entrance with other members of the tour, I was approached by a 10 year-old boy selling pens. His appearance wasn't like other little boys - he could not close his mouth because his neck had been badly burnt by fire. His chin touched his neck, making it nearly impossible for him to smile or eat properly. He looked like he was in a lot of pain and he could barely speak. I knew that he was selling pens because his friends told me. They also told me he had been seriously injured when a fire broke out in the shack that he previously lived in. Even though the little boy could not talk, his eyes were sparkling, dancing with life, and when he looked at me I felt I could feel down deep into his soul. He didn't just want someone to buy his pens. He wanted someone to look at him with love in their eyes and see him for who he was: A beautiful human being. I unfortunately had no change and wanted to buy all the 10 pens he was selling, so I told him I would be back that way after visiting the Taj Mahal.

The Taj Mahal was more beautiful than words could express. I even had the chance to take a picture in front of the same bush that my grandmother had also seen over 40 years ago. My grandmother was correct when she said the Taj’s beauty could not be fully explained! But part of me longed badly to return to the bus so that I could see my new friend and give him a hug. I wanted him to know that I cared about him.

Once we headed towards the bus I was approached by about 12 different children all wanting me to buy various items from postcards to key chains, and some even wanted to charge us for taking their photograph. The truth was I was only looking for that one special boy. Finally I saw him, waiting by my bus. I walked over and asked his friend how much the entire box of pens would cost me: About four Canadian dollars, he said. I opened up the boy's hand to give him the equivalent of 10 Canadian dollars and he tried to smile but couldn’t. I couldn’t make out the words that he wanted to say but his friend mentioned that all he wanted was a warm, friendly hug. He stepped closer to me and then hugged me. It was one of the most beautiful hugs I have ever received -- he was so full of joy and love despite his injuries. He gave me one of the pens he was selling as a gift. His heart was as genuine as gold, and in that instant his spirit and mine connected. As I got on the bus he waved to me and blew me a kiss, which made me sob out loud. I was too caught up in the moment to feel self-conscious or embarrassed. This little boy taught me that joy is possible even if you have scarcely any material possessions, or are disfigured in a horrible accident.

When I returned to Canada, I realised that I was a changed woman. I was more grateful for the many things that I had previously taken for granted. Thanks to the little angel I met that day in India, I now look at the world through different eyes. I know that money is not one’s most important asset: What is more important is the kindness you can show others; that the size of your heart is more important than the contents of your wallet. I will always remember my special, Indian angel.

Photo by Tim van Kempen on Unsplash

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Globaltraveler

The globaltraveler is a Canadian storyteller who has a Master's Degree in Spanish and French. She has traveled the world and been to over 120 countries and counting! Helping others is what makes her heart glow.