The following story is a forward mail I received. The narrator describes the event she has experienced with sympathety and added her own moral opinion which I consider interesting to read. Actually, the original article is written in Thai, so I rewrite it in English for foreigners' understanding and practicing my writing skill.
The story accidentally occurs in a pouring afternoon when I was rushing to meet my friend. I ran to the road and hurriedly get into a taxi without noticing the taxi’s condition. It’s dim and stuffy inside and the seat is completely uncomfortable. My first thought is “it’s alright, just a few minute being here”. Time past slowly when the old cordial driver told me that he had no change to give if he had to do so, “you are my first passenger today”.
I looked at my watch; it’s nearly 4pm then. So I asked, “You’ve just started driving?”
His answer was “Well actually, I’ve been driving since 4 in the morning but I’ve got no passenger all day”.
“Really? Why?” I asked him just to cover my indifference.
“My car is too old that nobody wants to take, but I understand. If I was them I would rather take those new ones too because of the same amount to pay and of course, it’s their money” his tone of voice seemed comfortably unstressed “Children, nowadays, like colorful cars.”
Then he changed his topic
“By the way, how much does BTS cost?”
So I told him.
“Ah, if I don’t know how to take, will anyone help me?” His voice grew more nervous “My son wants to take it on his birthday. I want to take him too but I’ve no experience”
At that time, BTS is completely operated for nearly 3 years.
“If I let him take it, he’d be overjoyed. I’ve taken him to the station once but I have no money that day.” His tone then was so happy that I suddenly got a lump in my throat; I could do nothing but nodded.
About his old car, I know exactly I’m one of “children nowadays” who like colorful cars and wait for them another half an hour ignoring old taxis. When I heard his words, the only thing I could do was giving him an embarrassing smile through the mirror.If it wasn’t raining or I’m in rush, I’d definitely not take this taxi.
I think it’s my rights to choose things I prefer, but if the thing we choose can help others too, I think it’s not bad. Taking only new, colorful taxis is not wrong too. But if we give a little attention to a little detail, we might give other people happiness simultaneously.
This whole story makes me look back at myself deliberately. For me, BTS is what I take all the time sometimes to go to work and sometimes just leisure around.
But for the driver’s son, it is “a birthday present” or nearly his “dream”.
It’s just merely 15 baht for me but up to 15 baht for him.
This makes me a lot more considered when I spend money, thinking of many lives struggling just for tomorrow’s meal.
I looked at my watch; it’s nearly 4pm then. So I asked, “You’ve just started driving?”
His answer was “Well actually, I’ve been driving since 4 in the morning but I’ve got no passenger all day”.
“Really? Why?” I asked him just to cover my indifference.
“My car is too old that nobody wants to take, but I understand. If I was them I would rather take those new ones too because of the same amount to pay and of course, it’s their money” his tone of voice seemed comfortably unstressed “Children, nowadays, like colorful cars.”
Then he changed his topic
“By the way, how much does BTS cost?”
So I told him.
“Ah, if I don’t know how to take, will anyone help me?” His voice grew more nervous “My son wants to take it on his birthday. I want to take him too but I’ve no experience”
At that time, BTS is completely operated for nearly 3 years.
“If I let him take it, he’d be overjoyed. I’ve taken him to the station once but I have no money that day.” His tone then was so happy that I suddenly got a lump in my throat; I could do nothing but nodded.
About his old car, I know exactly I’m one of “children nowadays” who like colorful cars and wait for them another half an hour ignoring old taxis. When I heard his words, the only thing I could do was giving him an embarrassing smile through the mirror.If it wasn’t raining or I’m in rush, I’d definitely not take this taxi.
I think it’s my rights to choose things I prefer, but if the thing we choose can help others too, I think it’s not bad. Taking only new, colorful taxis is not wrong too. But if we give a little attention to a little detail, we might give other people happiness simultaneously.
This whole story makes me look back at myself deliberately. For me, BTS is what I take all the time sometimes to go to work and sometimes just leisure around.
But for the driver’s son, it is “a birthday present” or nearly his “dream”.
It’s just merely 15 baht for me but up to 15 baht for him.
This makes me a lot more considered when I spend money, thinking of many lives struggling just for tomorrow’s meal.
2 comments:
Zar,
Thank you for translating and sharing that with us.
"Blue" was my feeling for your story but I love it. I think of the old man who try to survive in the changing day. Maybe, for him, BTS just like the time that he has to change his life again, for his son.
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