Kindness of Strangers

Just a little story I wanted to share about one of the many instances of unexpected kindness in India….

About a week ago, upon leaving the ‘Google Thomas’ party- we were met with the obstacle of finding a rickshaw home. It was a little after1 am, and the major road of Defense Colony is fairly busy even at this hour. We spend several minutes flagging rickshaws down- most are full- one does not want to bother with Malviya Nagar at this hour. I don’t understand how to tell difference between Rickshaw and a scooter at this hour- based on both having one headlight.

I accidentally flag one down. Two men in their twenties are on it- Dan already starts to give me the lecture of how there is no way we are riding with them. But what their offering is assistance in helping us with a rickshaw- after we explain to them what we were doing. Another scooter rider stops also to provide more assistance. So, we have three Indians valiantly hailing us a rickshaw- they stop one, convince him to take us to MN, and even negotiate a price for us. Dan’s flabbergasted at the unexpected chivalry. He says it must be the presence of the female. Perhaps it is, but the gesture completes the evening. We thank the strangers and wave goodbye. I can’t help but smile the whole rickshaw ride home.