Dignity - Revisited

Had been to a function where my cricket team was awarded a trophy. After receiving the award, we went upstairs where tea and snacks were served. The person who served us was very polite and courteous and treated us as if we were guests in his home. After chit chatting around for about 45 minutes, I noticed that he was actually physically challenged. Polio attack. I immediately thought to myself that I should give him 10 bucks when I leave as a token of appreciation for his willlingness to work for himself despite his limitations. The Magnonimous me! When we were about to leave, he was carrying the tea cans one in each hand when I approached him with my offering. He simply said, "panam ellam venam na.... idha konjam keezha varaikum thookitu vandhu kodunga" and gave me a can to lift, which was a tad heavy. I silently carried the can downstairs and returned it to him.

Whatever makes me think all people need is money! And whatever makes me think I can make people's lives better just because am fortunate enough to have a better standard of living than them? Is it a subconscious sense of superiority that is veiling itself as helping tendency? Perhaps, its time I learn to treat people the way they need to be treated - with dignity!