MORAL STORIES

NICE NEIGHBOURS

Miss. Maria was a poor, old woman staying alone in a cheap house in the outskirts of New York City. She subsisted on the meager pension granted by the Government to unemployed poor people.

She was kind and considerate to everyone. She was fond of children. They enjoyed her company and her nice words. She enlightened them by her wise words and interesting illustrations. She was loved by all her neighbours. They were willing to support her financially, but she thankfully refused all their offers. Still, they were waiting for a chance to help her.

On the first of a month, she returned home after collecting her regular pension. Later, she could not find the money in her house. She assumed that she had lost it on the way. She put up a notice on a board near her house stating that she had lost 100 dollars on the road and anyone who finds the money may kindly give it to her. She then went to the church and returned soon. Reaching home, she was surprised to find several packets dropped into her house through an open window. She examined them and found that each contained exactly 100 dollars and a note that the money was picked up from the road. Obviously, these were the voluntary contributions of her loving neighbours, who were awaiting a chance to help her. She removed the notice soon, saying, "If it remains here, many more may find out the missing money!" Later, she could recover the missing money from her own house as it had been misplaced by her by mistake.

When we show kindness to others, others will shower it on us, especially when we are in need. But we must be kind to all, expecting nothing in return.

"Happy are those who are merciful to others; God will be merciful to them! {Matthew 5: 7}

By: Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India.

This is story No.110 in this site. Please click ‘older posts’ at bottom of page to read previous stories.