The Stormy Night
In a small village in West Bengal named Shibpur, there lived a simple rickshaw puller named Ramesh. He lived with his elderly mother and younger sister. They survived from hand to mouth, but Ramesh had a big and kind heart.
One evening, a heavy storm suddenly began. Strong winds blew, rain poured down, and the electricity went out. Darkness covered the entire village. Ramesh was returning home with his rickshaw when he noticed an old man lying under a broken tree by the roadside.
The old man was shivering from the cold. There was no one around. Many people might have ignored him out of fear or inconvenience. But Ramesh did not hesitate for a moment. He took off his own shawl and wrapped it around the old man, then carefully lifted him onto his rickshaw.
Ramesh thought to himself,
"If I don't help today, what is the meaning of being human?"
A Night at the Hospital
Ramesh took the old man to the nearby hospital. The doctor examined him and said that his body was very weak. He had caught a severe cold and fever. Without quick treatment, it could have become dangerous.
The doctor asked,
"Is he your relative?"
Ramesh shook his head and replied,
"No sir, I am just a human being."
There were some hospital bills to pay. Ramesh did not have much money in his pocket. Still, he gave away all the money he had earned that day.
He stayed at the hospital the entire night, taking care of the old man. The nurses were surprised and said,
"People like you are very rare these days."
Ramesh smiled gently and replied,
"If humanity exists, the world becomes beautiful."
An Unknown Identity
The next morning, the old man regained consciousness. He looked at Ramesh with grateful eyes.
"My son, without you, I would not have survived."
Later, it was discovered that the old man was a retired schoolteacher from the same village. His name was Ajit Babu. He had lived in the city for many years and was returning to the village.
Ajit Babu said,
"You have cared for me like your own father. I will never forget your kindness."
After a few days, when he recovered, Ajit Babu visited Ramesh's home. He spoke with Ramesh's mother and asked about his sister's education.
He understood that the family was struggling financially, yet they had great self-respect.
The Reward of Humanity
A few days later, Ajit Babu admitted Ramesh's sister into a good school. He arranged for her books, notebooks, and school uniform. He also helped Ramesh open a small shop so that he would not have to struggle as a rickshaw puller anymore.
The villagers were amazed. They realized how a single act of kindness could bring such a big change.
Ramesh said humbly,
"I only did my duty."
Ajit Babu smiled and replied,
"The greatest identity of a human being is humanity."
From that day on, a message spread throughout Shibpur village:
👉 Helping others is the greatest duty of life.