83. Generosity
Once Mahatma Gandhi was
wandering villages and cities to collect funds for Charkha Sangh. He was
addressing a meeting in Orissa (now Odisha). During one of his tours, a
doddering and ailing poor old woman in tattered clothing, proceeded to touch
Gandhi's feet on the stage. But she was forcely stopped by volunteers. But she
fought her way to the place where Gandhiji was sitting. Then from the folds of
her sari she brought out a copper coin and placed it at his feet. Gandhiji
picked up the copper coin and put it away carefully but the head of Charkha
Sangh refused to take that coin as it had no worth. “This copper coin is worth
much more than those thousands,” Gandhiji said, “If a man has several lakhs and
he gives away a thousand or two, it doesn't mean much.” But this coin was
perhaps all that the poor woman possessed. She gave me all she had. Gandhiji
appreciated for her sacrifice.
Moral: Generosity is the best
policy.
TAGS: language development in children, Inspirational Moral Stories, very short stories with morals, stories to read for kids.