Author: Sweety Vyas
One cold winter day when a billionaire was entering his home, he saw a poor man outside.
He stopped and asked the poor man,” You must be very cold… how do you spend the night outside in these tattered clothes?”
The poor man replied, “It is very cold but I am helpless…these clothes are all that I have at this moment.”
The billionaire was lost deep in thought. How could he help the poor man?
After thinking for some time, finally he said,” Please do not worry. I am going home. I will send you some warm clothes soon…. You wait here.”
The poor man was overjoyed and expressed his gratitude to the billionaire.
The billionaire entered his home. He started talking to his wife and children and completely forgot his promise to the poor man.
Meanwhile the poor man waited to get the warm clothes. The entire night passed by…
In the morning the billionaire remembered his promise. He ran outside but the poor man was dead. He left a letter for the billionaire. He explained that for so many years he had managed with his tattered clothes in the cold winter. But the promise that was given by the billionaire raised an expectation within him and killed his mental power to withstand the extreme cold.
MORAL OF THE STORY
- This story highlights the importance of keeping the promises you made to others. Don’t promise anyone anything if you cannot keep the promise. It may not seem like much to you but could mean everything to someone else. The person may be hurt as a result of your broken promise.
“Heal the wounds of those around you that hurt in pain. But never, ever become the cause for someone’s hurt.” [Sai Baba, 108 Pearls of Baba Sai by Di Jaan Jaya Wahi]
- We should learn to rely on ourselves, not others. “When you have expectations, you are setting yourself up for disappointment [Ryan Reynolds]. We alone are our best friends.
- Empathy and compassion to others is important. It is our dharma to help those in need.
