Helping others can benefit yourself too 

 

           Miss Lucia

 

Once upon a time, there was a young scholar named “Lee”. He was on his way to another town to sit for an important exam, one that would help him get a job working for the Chinese emperor if he passed. It was a long journey before Lee got to his destination.

 

One day, Lee arrived at a village late at night and he was trying to find a place to stay the night. But it was so dark at night that he couldn’t see clearly and was bumped into by other people several times. He was starting to get worried but luckily he saw some light not far off ahead, Lee walked towards the light thinking it must be a place he could stay. But it wasn’t, it was  an old man carrying an oil lamp, and as he walked closer, he found that old man was blind.

 

Lee asked, “Hi Sir, may I know if you can see?”

 

The old man was surprised someone was next to him and said “Oh, I am blind since birth so I cannot see anything.”

 

Lee was confused, “May I know why are you holding an oil lamp if you cannot see?”

 

The old man replied, “I heard the alleys in our village become very dark at night and people were tripped over by stones or trees easily at night. Therefore, I always carry an oil lamp if I go out at night.”

 

“Then you are carrying the oil lamp for other people but not yourself?” Lee asked.

 

“You are only partly correct, I carry the oil lamp for myself too,” the old man answered.

 

Lee was puzzled, “What do you mean by that?”

 

“Did anyone bump into you just now? People never bumped into me because people can see clearly what is in front of them when I carry the oil lamp.”

 

Did you find this story interesting? There is also an old saying similar to the meaning of the story, “The roses in her hand, the flavor in mine.” By giving the roses to others doesn’t mean there is nothing left for you, the fragrances of the roses remain in your hands. A good act to others can benefit yourself too.

 

Sometimes we may only consider the benefits to our own before we do something. However, Miss Lucia learnt from the story and this old saying that giving or helping others can make us happy too no matter how little such action is or even though we do not benefit from it.

 

The theme for this year is gratefulness. We should be thankful for what we have and received in life. However, we can always do more by giving and helping others in return as well. We may not realise the benefit for helping others straight away but we should believe that helping others will benefit ourselves and make us happy too. “It is always better to give than to receive.” We should be grateful in everything we have and continue to give and help others. Can you think of something you can do in return for the love and care given by your parents and teachers?