This is a true story shared by a soldier in Kupwara Sector of Jammu & Kashmir.
A group of 15 soldiers led by a Major were on the way to their post in the Himalayas where they would be deployed for the next 3 months.
It was a cold winter & intermittent snowfall made the treacherous climb even more difficult.
"If someone could offer a cup of tea".... the Major thought, knowing it was a futile wish.
They continued their journey for another hour or so when they came across a shabby structure, which looked like a tea-shop. But soon, their joy turned into disappointment when they saw that it was closed and locked.
It was late in the evening and they were all tired.
"No tea boys, bad luck", said the Major. But he suggested that they take a little rest there before continuing - as they had been walking for several hours.
"Sir, this is a tea shop and we can make tea ourselves... but we will have to break the lock" suggested one soldier.
The officer was hesitant to accept this unethical suggestion but the thought of a steaming cup of tea for the tired solders made him give the permission.
They were in luck, the place had everything needed to make tea and lots of packets of biscuits.
The soldiers had hot tea & biscuits and were ready for their remaining journey.
The major thought... 'we are disciplined soldiers - not a band of thieves. We had broken the lock and had
tea & biscuits without the owner's permission'. So, to pay for the tea and biscuits, and the cost to repair the lock - he took out two thousand rupees from his wallet, placed it on the counter under the sugar container, so that the owner would see it. The officer's guilt was somewhat relieved. He pulled down the shutter to close the shop and ordered the soldiers to proceed.
Three months passed by. They were lucky not to lose anyone from the group in the intense insurgency situation. And now, it was time for another team to replace them.
They were on their way back and stopped at the same tea-shop which was open this time and the owner was also present in the shop. The owner - an old man with meager resources was very happy to greet 15 customers.
While having tea and biscuits, they talked to the old man about his life and experiences - especially about
selling tea at such a remote location. Was he able to make enough money to support his family?
The old man had many stories to tell - full of love and miracles. “Bhagvaan bahut dyaalu hain (God is very
kind - merciful) He has always taken care of me and my family” he said in a soft but firm and confident tone
of voice that showed his strong faith and confidence in God.
"Aray Baba, if God is so kind and merciful, then why should He keep you in such poverty?"commented
one of them.
"Sahib! Let me tell you a recent story how God took care of us". Said the old man.
"Three months ago, I was going through very tough times. My only son had been badly beaten up by the terrorists. He was severely injured and needed to be taken to the hospital. But I did not have enough
money for hospital and medicines - and on top of that, I had to close my shop to take care him.”
With tears of gratitude in his eyes, the old man continued:
“That evening, I prayed to God for help… and God walked into my shop that night."
"When I opened my shop in the morning, I found the lock broken. At first, I felt unhappy and little angry - that along with other things, I must have lost whatever little money I had left in the shop.
But then I saw that God had left two thousand rupees on the counter under the sugar pot. I can't tell you Sahib how much that money was worth for me that day. I was able to take my son to hospital and buy medicines for him. My son is alright now… God took care of us. Bhagvaan hai aur bahut dayaalu hai Sahib." (Of course, there is God and He is very kind and merciful)
The light of faith in his eyes was unflinching. Fifteen pairs of eyes met the eyes of their officer and read the clear and unmistakable order in his eyes: "Keep quiet".
The major got up and paid the bill. He hugged the old man and said, "Yes Baba, I know God is very kind and merciful.
And by the way, the tea was wonderful and delicious."
Those 15 pairs of eyes did not miss to notice the moisture building up in the eyes of their officer - a sight they had never seen before.
(This is a true story shared by a soldier in Kupwara Sector of Jammu & Kashmir)
The truth is that we all can be ‘God’ to someone sometime.
We often pray to God with requests to meet our needs.
Have we ever thought of how God meets our needs and have we ever tried to understand how He showers His blessings upon us?
As a famous scientist once said:
“If we believe, then everything is a miracle - if we don’t, then we can disregard everything as a co-incidence.”
The difference is in the perspective; in the attitude.
Believing everything as miracle, fills our heart with gratitude and humility.
When we see everything in the world – every incidence in life with a sense of wonder and awe, life becomes full of joy – otherwise the world is nothing more than a few fixed laws of physics and chemical reactions.
‘Rajan Sachdeva’
Note: the story of soldiers and tea shop of Kupwara is based upon an episode of ‘Radio Ruhaniyat’ by Preet Sahi ji.
A group of 15 soldiers led by a Major were on the way to their post in the Himalayas where they would be deployed for the next 3 months.
It was a cold winter & intermittent snowfall made the treacherous climb even more difficult.
"If someone could offer a cup of tea".... the Major thought, knowing it was a futile wish.
They continued their journey for another hour or so when they came across a shabby structure, which looked like a tea-shop. But soon, their joy turned into disappointment when they saw that it was closed and locked.
It was late in the evening and they were all tired.
"No tea boys, bad luck", said the Major. But he suggested that they take a little rest there before continuing - as they had been walking for several hours.
"Sir, this is a tea shop and we can make tea ourselves... but we will have to break the lock" suggested one soldier.
The officer was hesitant to accept this unethical suggestion but the thought of a steaming cup of tea for the tired solders made him give the permission.
They were in luck, the place had everything needed to make tea and lots of packets of biscuits.
The soldiers had hot tea & biscuits and were ready for their remaining journey.
The major thought... 'we are disciplined soldiers - not a band of thieves. We had broken the lock and had
tea & biscuits without the owner's permission'. So, to pay for the tea and biscuits, and the cost to repair the lock - he took out two thousand rupees from his wallet, placed it on the counter under the sugar container, so that the owner would see it. The officer's guilt was somewhat relieved. He pulled down the shutter to close the shop and ordered the soldiers to proceed.
Three months passed by. They were lucky not to lose anyone from the group in the intense insurgency situation. And now, it was time for another team to replace them.
They were on their way back and stopped at the same tea-shop which was open this time and the owner was also present in the shop. The owner - an old man with meager resources was very happy to greet 15 customers.
While having tea and biscuits, they talked to the old man about his life and experiences - especially about
selling tea at such a remote location. Was he able to make enough money to support his family?
The old man had many stories to tell - full of love and miracles. “Bhagvaan bahut dyaalu hain (God is very
kind - merciful) He has always taken care of me and my family” he said in a soft but firm and confident tone
of voice that showed his strong faith and confidence in God.
"Aray Baba, if God is so kind and merciful, then why should He keep you in such poverty?"commented
one of them.
"Sahib! Let me tell you a recent story how God took care of us". Said the old man.
"Three months ago, I was going through very tough times. My only son had been badly beaten up by the terrorists. He was severely injured and needed to be taken to the hospital. But I did not have enough
money for hospital and medicines - and on top of that, I had to close my shop to take care him.”
With tears of gratitude in his eyes, the old man continued:
“That evening, I prayed to God for help… and God walked into my shop that night."
"When I opened my shop in the morning, I found the lock broken. At first, I felt unhappy and little angry - that along with other things, I must have lost whatever little money I had left in the shop.
But then I saw that God had left two thousand rupees on the counter under the sugar pot. I can't tell you Sahib how much that money was worth for me that day. I was able to take my son to hospital and buy medicines for him. My son is alright now… God took care of us. Bhagvaan hai aur bahut dayaalu hai Sahib." (Of course, there is God and He is very kind and merciful)
The light of faith in his eyes was unflinching. Fifteen pairs of eyes met the eyes of their officer and read the clear and unmistakable order in his eyes: "Keep quiet".
The major got up and paid the bill. He hugged the old man and said, "Yes Baba, I know God is very kind and merciful.
And by the way, the tea was wonderful and delicious."
Those 15 pairs of eyes did not miss to notice the moisture building up in the eyes of their officer - a sight they had never seen before.
(This is a true story shared by a soldier in Kupwara Sector of Jammu & Kashmir)
The truth is that we all can be ‘God’ to someone sometime.
We often pray to God with requests to meet our needs.
Have we ever thought of how God meets our needs and have we ever tried to understand how He showers His blessings upon us?
As a famous scientist once said:
“If we believe, then everything is a miracle - if we don’t, then we can disregard everything as a co-incidence.”
The difference is in the perspective; in the attitude.
Believing everything as miracle, fills our heart with gratitude and humility.
When we see everything in the world – every incidence in life with a sense of wonder and awe, life becomes full of joy – otherwise the world is nothing more than a few fixed laws of physics and chemical reactions.
‘Rajan Sachdeva’
Note: the story of soldiers and tea shop of Kupwara is based upon an episode of ‘Radio Ruhaniyat’ by Preet Sahi ji.
Great story. Very inspiring.
ReplyDeleteVery Inspiring! Thanks you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYes very much inspiring ..... Great story sir
ReplyDeleteGreat one ๐ช๐ป
ReplyDelete