Five Great Lessons

The Blessed Viewer by Vinod Dave mixed-media on canvas 60X46 inch 1996

First Important Lesson ~ Most Important Lesson:

During my second month of management school, our professor gave us a pop quiz. Iwas a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions, until I readthe last one: "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?" Surelythis was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She wastall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name? I handed in mypaper, leaving the last question blank.

Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would counttoward our quiz grade. "Absolutely," said the professor. "In your careers, youwill meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention andcare, even if all you do is smile and say 'hello'.""I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Kamala Bai.

Second Important Lesson ~ Pick up in the Rain:

One night, at 11:30 PM, an older woman aged about 55 was standing on the sideof a National highway trying to endure a lashing rain storm. Her car had brokendown and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag downthe next car. A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of inthose conflict-filled 1960s. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab. She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him.

Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giantconsole color TV was delivered to his home. A special note was attached. Itread: "Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. Therain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along.Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just beforehe passed away. God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others."
Sincerely,
Mrs. Pinto David.

Third Important Lesson ~ Always Remember Those Who Serve You:

In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year old boy entered ahotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in frontof him. "How much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked. "Fifty rupees," replied thewaitress. The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coinsin it. "Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he inquired.By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growingimpatient. "Thirty-five rupees," she brusquely replied." The little boy again counted his coins.
"I'll have the plain ice cream," he said. The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away.

The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left. When the waitresscame back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed besidethe empty dish, were a two 10 rupee notes and one 5 rupee coin - You see, hecouldn't have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.

Fourth Important Lesson ~ The Obstacle In Our Path:

In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on roadway. Then he hid himselfand watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king'swealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Manyloudly blamed the king for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anythingabout getting the stone out of the way. Then a peasant came along carrying aload of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down hisburden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushingand straining, he finally succeeded.

After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying inthe road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and anote from the king indicating that the gold was for the person who removed theboulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand.Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.

Fifth Important Lesson ~ Giving When It Counts:

A few years ago, when I was in the hospital as a patient, I got to know alittle girl named Naveena who was suffering from a rare and serious disease.Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-yearold brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developedthe antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situationto her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to givehis blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking adeep breath and saying, "Yes, I'll Do it if it will save her..."

As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, aswe all did, seeing the color returning to her cheeks. Then, his face grew paleand his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a tremblingvoice, "Will I start to die right away?"

Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he wasgoing to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.