Who is the real beggar?
This story tells the story of an ordinary newlywed couple, Ravi and Priya. Ravi is incrediblyproud of his new bride and the new car he received as dowry, but a small incident on theroad shakes the foundations of his thinking and self-esteem. When he meets a handicappedbeggar, Priya's words deeply touch Ravi's heart, changing his entire outlook on life.
Chapter 1: New Beginnings
The very next day after the wedding, there was a different glow on Ravi's face.Since morning, a strange happiness and pride was visible on his face.After all, today he was going on a long drive in his new car with his bride Priya.I had just received the car as dowry at the wedding; it was shiny new, red in colour,absolutely brand new.Ravi would repeatedly go out and wipe the car with a cloth, remove dust, and sometimeslean on the bonnet to look at his reflection.Priya tied her hair neatly and smiled, "Ravi, get ready now. You've been hanging around thiscar for so long."Ravi said with a smile, "Hey darling, until now I've driven friends' cars. Today I have my owncar."For years I had a dream that one day I would have my own car and today look, the dreamhas come true.”Priya smiled, “The dream is good Ravi, but be careful while driving, don't drive too fast.”Ravi laughed, "Hey, there's no need to be afraid. Today, there's just the two of us, music, andthe open road. We'll have a fun drive."Ravi started the car, the rumble of the engine echoing his pride. He turned on the music andthe song, "Aaj Phir Tumpe Pyar Aaya Hai…"The sound was so loud that even the wind started dancing to the beat.Priya said softly, "Ravi, please turn down the music a bit... it's too loud." Ravi smiled andsaid, "Hey, do you still need peace today? Okay, I'll turn it down a bit, but the fun is in themusic."The car on the road was talking to the wind.It was evening time, the sun was setting, the sky was turning red.Priya was looking out of the window at the village, the fields, and the distant mountain paths.Everything looked beautiful.Then suddenly a loud sound of brakes echoed!“Bang!”Ravi pressed the brakes with full force.The car veered to the left and stopped on the side of the road.Priya got scared, “Ravi! What happened?”Ravi shouted, "You bastard beggar! Do you want to die? You've come in the middle of theroad!"An old beggar was lying in front of the car, handicapped and helpless with one leg.He was trying to crawl to the roadside with trembling hands.Priya immediately got down from the car.Ravi said from behind -“Oh, leave it, he is a dirty man, who knows what disease he might be suffering from.”But Priya had ignored his words.She reached the old man, knelt down, and asked softly, "Uncle, are you hurt? I'm sorry, wewere talking…"The beggar tried to smile, “No daughter, I was just crossing the road, I am handicapped inmy legs… I will go slowly.”There was compassion in Priya's eyes.He took out his wallet and took out a 100 rupee note and placed it in her hand."Uncle, we're married. Please eat some sweets and bless us."The beggar's eyes sparkled.He took the note with trembling hands and said, “May God keep both of you happy,daughter… I pray that your husband's ego also goes away.”Priya gave a slight smile, made the beggar sit on the sidewalk and got back into the car.Ravi, still irritated, said, "People like you are the reason they grow in courage. You shouldn'ttouch a beggar."Priya said in a calm voice, “A beggar? Ravi, he was helpless… What other option did hehave?”Ravi said, "Forced or tricked? It's all just an act. No one wants to work hard."Priya took a deep breath “And what you did was hard work?Asking for a car as dowry, getting your wishes fulfilled from someone's father, was that hardwork, or begging?"Ravi suddenly fell silent. He looked at Priya for the first time, his eyes filled with neitheranger nor complaint…just a burning truth.Priya further said, “You know Ravi, a father raises his daughter for 20 years… he dreamsevery dream with her from her childhood till her marriage.And when he leaves, he loses a part.Yet, society forces him to give a car, money, jewellery along with the daughter… Why?So Ravi remains happy.So tell me, who is the beggar? That helpless old man or a groom like you?"Ravi's lips trembled.He could not say anything.There was a moisture of regret in his eyes.The car's engine was off, but a storm was raging inside.Ravi said softly, "Priya... I... forgive me. Maybe I was wrong."Priya said –“Don't apologize to me, apologize to the thinking that taught you that dowry is a right.”Ravi bowed his head.There were no words, only silence and in that silence the noise of his soul.
Chapter 2: The Mirror of Shame
The car was now parked on the side of the road.The sun had almost set, and the air was slowly becoming cold and dark.Ravi was leaning on the steering wheel, as if lost in his own thoughts.The storm that was raging inside him could not be stopped by any brake.Priya said softly."Ravi, let's go home. It's getting late."Ravi took a deep breath and started the engine, but now its speed was not the same asbefore.The car was now moving very slowly, as if Ravi's ego had also started creeping up.There was no conversation between the two for a long time.There was only the soft sound of the car and the chirping of crickets coming from outside.Finally Ravi said softly, “Priya, whatever you said… was all right.I never thought of it that way. I just saw everyone doing it, so it felt right.My friends also said that one should make some demands in marriage…I jokingly said I need a car.But perhaps that joke became a burden on someone else's heart."Priya looked at him, there was embarrassment on her face, and a glint of truth in her eyes.“Ravi,” she said, “it's not bad to make mistakes…After a mistake is made, it is difficult to understand and change it, and that is what makes aperson great.”Ravi said, “To tell you the truth, I felt ashamed after seeing that old beggar today.The one who had nothing was also praying…And I, who has everything, was abused.”Priya gave a slight smile, “Sometimes life teaches us big things from very small people.”The car had now reached the neighbourhood of his house.Ravi parked the car at the gate, and both of them went inside.Ravi's mother was sitting on the sofa at home.He smiled at them and said, "Hey, you guys are back? Where did you go?"Ravi replied, “Just like that, Mom, I went for a little drive.”Mother said proudly, “Look, what a nice car I got in dowry!People are not able to take it even after years.”A pang of pain appeared on Ravi's face.He wanted to say something, but stopped.Priya said softly, “Mom, the car is nice, but real happiness does not come from dowry, itcomes from respect in relationships.”Mother looked at her in surprise, “What do you mean?”Ravi said, “Mom, Priya is right.We should learn to live by our hard work and not by taking anything from anyone.”Mother became a little uncomfortable, “Hey son, this is a custom.If people give, we take it, what is wrong with it?”Ravi paused and said, “Mother, it is wrong when the giver is helpless.When he turns his daughter's wedding into a deal...And we proudly accept that deal.”Mother did not answer.There was a bit of shock and a bit of thought in his eyes.Perhaps for the first time his son was talking so seriously.Ravi could not sleep that night.He kept turning from side to side.Priya was sitting near the window, moonlight falling on her face.Ravi said softly, “Priya…” “Hmm?”“If I want to change something… within myself, in my thinking, will you support me?”Priya smiled and said, “We are together Ravi.”But remember – real change comes from within, not from any show.”Ravi nodded, “Yes, I don't want to live in pretense anymore.I want to meet that handicapped man to apologize.”Priya's eyes lit up.“We will leave tomorrow morning.
”Chapter 3: The Meeting
The next morning Ravi woke up early and got dressed.For the first time he went out without any pretense – neither paying attention to the ironing ofhis shirt nor to the styling of his hair.Just one true purpose—forgiveness.Priya asked, “Do you remember the way?”Ravi said, “Yes, the same old road, near the footpath.”The car moved very slowly today as if Ravi had learnt that in every journey, intention mattersmore than speed.After some time I reached the same place.Ravi looked around – the same footpath, the same walls, but he could not see the old man.Priya asked a tea seller, “Brother, a handicapped beggar was sitting here yesterday, did yousee him?”The tea seller nodded, "Yes, Uncle comes here every day. He must have gone to the templetoday."Ravi turned the car towards the temple.Reaching there, he saw – the same man was sitting under the tree.There was a small bowl in front of him in which some coins were kept.Ravi slowly went near him, bent down and said –“Uncle… Do you recognize me?”The old man looked at her and smiled, “Yes son, tomorrow the car driver… the daughter isvery nice.”Ravi's eyes filled with tears.He sat down on the ground and said, "Uncle, I've come to apologize. I cursed youyesterday..."I was thinking too small. I'm sorry."The old man smiled, "Sorry? Son, I forgave you yesterday."You abused me, but my daughter blessed me…There were two worlds in one car.”Tears started flowing from Ravi's eyes.He took out some money from his pocket and kept it aside. "Uncle, consider this as help."The old man held his hand. "No, son, I don't want anything now. If you really want to help,change someone else's life."Don't tell a daughter's father, 'I want dowry.'That's all that will help."Ravi bowed his head, “I need your blessings, uncle… that's all.”The old man raised his hand and said, “May God grant that sons like you open the eyes of society.”
