Man Walking in the Dark....

Last Wednesday evening, at about 8.30pm, I was just leaving a local Gursikh family's house (the only one where I live) and about to get in the car to leave, when I saw a man in the dark walking in my direction. The man looked like was drunk because he was walking side to side and looked really disorientated. I was going to sit in my car and go home but something inside me told me that I should perhaps wait and see if the guy needs any help. So I stood next to the car and waited for a few minutes for the man to come nearer.

In my mind I did Ardaas that if the guy needs help may I help him. When the guy passed I realised it was an elderly man. I was surprised to see such an elderly man drunk and staggering home. He didn't look too good, so I said, "Are you okay?" The guy replied, "I am lost. Can you please help me." The man explained that he wanted to go towards the town centre. I told him, "You're walking in the wrong direction." He replied, "It's so dark that I have been confused and lost my way and just keep walking." I tried to explain the directions but he seemed bit confused, perhaps because he was feeling 'tipsy'. Although the man looked as if he had a drink, I thought this man needs a lift to wherever he wants to go because he it's too late and his family must be wondering where there granddad or father is.

So the man said "Thank you" and got in the car. He must have been around 75 years old or something? He said to me, "Thank you, you taxi drivers are very helpful." I said, "I'm not a taxi driver, just helping out!" (Vaheguru). He sounded surprised and then he said, "I know you lot - you always say "no problem" when giving lifts.... You're Pakistani aren't you... (with a smile) I know." Vaheguru

I told the man that I'm a Sikh. He hadn't heard anything about the Sikhs. I explained people who don't cut their hair and wear turbans are Sikhs and that our religion started in Northern India. He said that he hadn't seen any Sikhs in the town where we live. I explained the contribution of Sikhs to this country and how my grandfather and many other Sikhs fought for the freedom of this country during the World Wars. He was really interested. He kept thanking me for giving him a lift to town where the taxis are. I replied, "God's in all, and to do service of God is to serve people."

Near the end of the journey I asked if the man had any food to eat because he told me that actually live in a nearby village and didn't live in the local area. He told me that he had come to the town to meet someone and it got really late. He had bought some fish and chips because he feeling hungry and was eating them whilst sitting on a wall when he some how slipped and fell down. He had hurt his leg and that's why he was limping and couldn't walk properly. I realised the guy was not drunk or even had anything to drink but was hurt!! But he said he would be okay and didn't need a doctor or anything.

Leaving the car, the man said "Thank you. I will remember your people now. I am glad we were able to meet."

It is strange how Guru Sahib makes us meet people through different circumstances.



Dhan Guru, Dhan Hai Teree Sikhee!