When the hearts of men are soaked in kindness, they tend to radiate an unusual aura and grace in the things they do. An Indian collected his first salary and decided to use it in a most kind way.
After completing my postgraduate studies and securing a job, my mother asked me to donate a portion of my first salary to a nearby temple, as per the Indian tradition. However, I had a different perspective on this. Instead, I decided to do something more meaningful with my first salary. I gathered a group of 14-15 underprivileged children around a famous mall in Hasratganj, Lucknow, India, and took them to McDonald’s.
As we were entering the mall, the security guards tried to stop us, questioning the presence of the children. They claimed that “these types of people” were not allowed in the mall. However, I stood my ground, asserting that the children were my responsibility, and I would ensure they did not disturb the environment. I ordered happy meals for all of us, and we spent 2-3 hours laughing, talking, and creating wonderful memories together. The children even spilled a few Pepsi-filled glasses, which the McDonald’s staff refilled for free, much to my surprise, considering how they started when I and the children first came in.
There were several reasons behind my decision to do this. I never wanted to waste my hard-earned money on temple donations, and I thought this would be a better way to make the children feel accepted. Now, these children know me well, and whenever I pass by the area, we spend time together, playing, sharing jokes, and engaging in friendly banter. They call me by various endearing names like “Bhaiya” (Hindi for big brother), “Uncle,” and “Cha-cha” (Hindi for uncle), making me feel more accepted in their lives. This heartwarming act of kindness, where I used my first salary to treat underprivileged children to a meal, has left a lasting impact on both the children and me.
This does clearly serve as a reminder that small acts of compassion can leave long lasting imprints on the lives of those in need. May our resolve to be kind grow bigger than the desire for recognition and accolades from people, and may genuine kindness influence all our decisions.