1 Helping Others _____________________

It was raining heavily. Jain and Janaki were in the veranda watching the heavy downpour. They lived in the suburb along with their parents in a small two room house. The parents used one room and the kids, the other.

As they were watching the rain, a car slowly came through the driveway and stopped in front of the house. "Some visitors have come", announced Janaki. Hearing the announcement their father came to the veranda to see who had come. It was an old man and an old lady. Janaki came out with two glasses of water in a tray and offered it to the guest

After being seated comfortably the old mam started talking to Jain's father. "We had gone to visit our children who live in the next town. On our way back we are caught up in this thunderstorms and lightning. I won't be able to drive in such bad weather. We have been looking for a place to stay for the night. There are no hotels around. So will you be kind enough to accommodate us? We were denied accommodation in the first two houses. "Jain's father said,"We would have been rather happy to help elderly people like you but unfortunately we are not in a position to do so. We have only two rooms and it is fully occupied. So we are very sorry, we have to deny you."

Jain was listening to the entire conversation from one corner of the lobby. Now he stepped forward and said, "Papa, if Janaki and I move to your room for the night we can make some space for these old people. If you ask us to do so, we shall happily oblige". Their father was definitely happy to hear this and he permitted Jain and Janaki to sleep on the floor.

The old man and his wife were very happy. He appreciated Jain particularly for helping them by suffering some inconvenience. Their mother prepared food for them. At the dining table the old man asked Jain and Janaki which class they were studying. "I am in seventh and she is in fourt", Jain said

Jain's father said they were facing a problem as there was no good high school nearby for Jain to Join in the next year. "I am running a very reputed residential school in the city. If you agree with it, then Jain can come and stay there and continue his studies free of cost," said the old man. Their joy knew no bounds. They had heard about that school and getting admission there was beyond their dream . A small act of kindness brought them such big happiness.