In a bustling market square one sunny afternoon, a peculiar sight caught my eye. Amidst the hustle and bustle of vendors and shoppers, there sat an elderly man, affectionately known as Baba Ji. He was seated on the pavement, surrounded by baskets of fresh lemons and a large jug of lemonade. What made this scene extraordinary was that Baba Ji was not just selling lemons and lemonade; he was selling them in silence.
As I approached, I couldn’t help but wonder about this silent merchant. His wares were displayed with care, and a small chalkboard stood beside him. Curiosity piqued, I asked for a glass of lemonade, gesturing towards my parched throat. Baba Ji met my gaze with a serene smile, and I was instantly drawn into the enigma of the moment.
“Wow, that’s refreshing,” I exclaimed after taking a sip. His eyes twinkled with gratitude.
I pointed to the chalkboard, silently asking the price. Baba Ji, unable to speak or hear, simply pointed to the number “thirty rupees” written on it. I handed him fifty rupees, a generous offer for a glass of lemonade, and turned to leave.
Acts of Generosity
But as I walked away, Baba Ji surprised me by placing his hand on my shoulder and gently guiding me back. He insisted on giving me change. I was taken aback. After all, he had already given me what I’d paid for. I tried to decline, but Baba Ji was resolute.
It struck me that this was more than just a transaction. It was an act of kindness, a lesson in generosity. With a grateful heart, I accepted the change and continued on my way.
A Surprising Turn of Events
A few days later, I found myself back in the market square. This time, I was on a mission to buy some clothes for my family. As I haggled with a vendor over the prices, I noticed something unusual. The vendor, who had previously charged me three hundred rupees for a similar purchase, now quoted a mere one hundred rupees. I was perplexed by this sudden discount.
When I asked him why, he replied, “Today, I’ve received special blessings for offering discounts to customers.”