Being Human

 A Painting and a Story # 21

Today I will tell you a real life experience I had a few weeks ago. It was a wonderful misty morning. A typical Bangalore morning... just right for a breakfast of Butter Dosai with chatni. So yes, I got all the ingredients ready, grated coconut, roasted chana-dal, green chillies, fresh corriander... well the works. And I see that my small mixie jar... the chatni jar... the blades are broken. I have no idea how this happened! Anyway ... I need to buy the replacement. I look for it in Amazon, but this model of my mixie is ancient... no... let us say... it is not available. (that is more diplomatic). 

Well Google helps! I locate the nearest Customer Care. A gentleman answers the call. I ask him if he has the part and he immediately says 'YES'. I tell him I can't come to the shop can he send it with someone. 

He says 'Book Dunzo. I will send it'. 

'How do I pay you? I have no PayTM Googlepay etc'. I ask in apprehension.

'No problem. When you get the product message me and I will share the bank details. You can do bank transaction'. That is his trusting reply. I thank him profusely and book a DUNZO. (for the un-initiated) this is a local courier service, they send a person to pick up and deliver stuff from place A to place B within a city.

I book a Dunzo and I watch him on my mobile phone - a blue dot - moving steadily to the shop. I don't need to do that. But it's irresistible. Aah! He has reached the shop. What is taking him so long? He is still at the shop.

Tingaling ting tingaling I almost drop my phone in surprise. It rings and buzzes. 

A lady asks, 'What product do you want. Have you paid'? 

'I have spoken to the gentleman I explain'

"Madam" she clarifies, "Sir is in hospital'. I am petrified. The gentleman has been helping me out from a Hospital. I am moved. But now how do I pay. The lady says she is unable to hand it over to me without money.

The Dunzo Man comes to my rescue. "How much is it", he asks. He has the required big note. Such a proactive person. He offers to pay and pick it up for me.

And true to his word within minutes he is at my doorstep with the mixie part. I am so moved by this empathy, this abundance of heart to help. Thank You Gentleman from DUNZO. May such helping hands and warm hearts fill the world again. 

My painting for this week is the gentle message of love and good wishes that comes from Buddhist Prayer Flags.

Buddhist Prayer Flags - Oil Painting.