Recently, while returning home from a late nite pool game with office buddies, I was misguided to a very strange locality. I never would have know this place existed, if my GPS wouldn't have misled me. This normally happens when its cloudy and the GPS is unable to lock onto minimum of 4 satellites(that is for latitude, longitude, altitude and direction).
Anyhow, after roaming for a while, clueless, and not knowing which direction I was heading, I decided to stop, ask for directions and also get myself a coffee(yes, I do it whenever I am confused, which is virtually everytime - a starbucks gold customer you'd imagine).
The place was seven-eleven, I parked my vehicle, went in, made myself a french-vanilla flavor with columbian base, asked the lady behind the counter, which way is the beltway and headed out.
As I was heading to my vehicle, with a sense of conquest(Alexander too would have felt the same after venturing into unknown territory, i guess). A 12 year old came-up to me, and asked me if he can borrow some money. I politely retorted, 'why ?'
he said he would like to purchase something to eat.
I looked at my wallet, the minimum I had was a 10 dollar bill.
So, I said, 'buddy, let me buy you. what would you like to eat?'
Just as he was about to say something, a short-statured lady arrived at the scene, with another kid by her side. She repeated what the kid had said. I asked, 'ok, how much money you need?'.
she said 3 dollars. I replied I don't have three dollars.
Before I could even complete my statement. She started cursing me, 'Y'all foreigners. encroach our lands, take up our jobs. You won't even help us, when in need...'.
I just stood there not sure what should I say.
After a short pause, I continued, ' Mam, all I have is a 10 dollar bill. If you wish, I can purchase you something for 3 dollars, but I may not be able to lend 10 dollars.'
I was feeling bit like a nebbish as this was an unknown locality, and some of the areas in DC are not very friendly, if you don't belong there. Nonetheless, I kept my calm trying to shove off the warning from my uncle and my friends that I should not roam around in strange places. but I couldn't refrain from my urge to talk back. something she said just stuck in my head and I had to reply back.
So I said, 'Mam, I don't know what you see me as. I am here in a foreign land, far away from home, and parents. I hardly know many people here. Sometimes I find everything strange in your country. The weather, the language and even the people. I am here not to take up your jobs, I am here to do the job in a better way, and earn my share by doing so.'
She was bit amazed, and I could see the stern look in her eyes fade away. I bought them a coffee, and two doughnuts for $2.50.
As I was about to leave. she said, 'this is not a good place to be, for you, at this hour, hush off'.
I boldly replied back, 'if I weren't here. How would I have helped you ?'
I could see her blush and say, 'God, Bless!'.
so what's there to Imagine? I am glad that you asked!
Most of the hatred in the world seem to have cropped-up from mere misunderstandings. A little forgiveness from both sides , if not eliminate, should surely tone hatred down. We better do it sooner than later - before it gets encoded as an idiosyncrasy in our DNA.
