A lesson in kindness from an auto-driver

Today morning, my autorickshaw driver made an unscheduled stop. And taught me a lesson in kindness.

I’m in Bangalore for a training session and had the privilege of going to the gorgeous Cubbon Park for a morning walk.

On the way back to my hotel, I booked an Uber auto. The driver, Karthik, called me, spoke in English when he realised my Kannada is nonexistent, came on time, and was waiting at the right pickup point.

He greeted me and started the short ride. En route he glanced back and told me: “Sir I need to stop for something”

And I was thinking: “Right, here we go. Maybe he wants to drop something with a friend. Or maybe pickup someone? Should I allow that…? Anyway, it’s bright in the morning and it’s a short ride… Should be ok, I guess…”

Karthik then picked up a medium-sized plastic bag filled with small bread pieces and went out, to be immediately surrounded by a pack of 4 street dogs, wagging their tails in anticipation. One of them barked at another dog from across the street which was having the temerity to think of crossing over into its territory for the goodies.

After serving this set, Karthik crossed over to the other side and made sure he left the bread pieces at different places by the footpath so that the mutts don’t end up fighting over the same pile.

With more than 60% of his bag still full, Karthik made his way back to the auto and we continued on.

“This is amazing Karthik, you do this everyday?”

“Yes sir. I do this everyday except weekends when I don’t come here. Near my house I feed the dogs rice. But here it’s easier to give them bread.”

Karthik left me at my destination that day… But he also left me with a lovely lesson in kindness.