What is the most touching act of kindness you have ever witnessed or experienced?

It happened to me in India. I decided to take the great Indian Railways on an overnight journey to a remote small town at the invitation of a dear friend. On the return journey, from a rather dinky and humble station, the train was delayed by several hours. I figured that Indian towns were teeming with street food and I would certainly find some food at the station or somewhere en route. Despite vehement protests, I politely declined the food that my friend’s family had offered me for the train journey.

Finally, after starving until almost midnight because there was no food available in this dusty railway station, and kicking myself a million times for refusing the food that my hosts had offered me, I balefully looked at the wretched train roll into the station. To my dismay and utter chagrin, there was no food available in the train either. I sighed and stretched out on my folding bed, looking and feeling very miserable.

The above long prologue is necessary to explain my extraordinarily miserable state of mind, exacerbated by exhaustion and hunger. A middle aged couple were sitting in the folding bed across from me and were unfolding humble packages of food, the whiff of the delicious Indian delights driving me even more crazy. The wife conferred in whispers with her husband, who shook his head at first, then seemed to consent. With utter embarrassment and humility, they offered me 2 pieces of flat bread and some spiced potatoes. The husband spoke some English and profusely apologised that they did not have more to offer me. Apparently, they had observed me all evening, at that godforsaken station and knew I had not eaten. They had only packed 6 flatbreads, 3 each for themselves, but decided to divide them in three portions of 2 flatbreads, while being very worried that the food was not worthy of a guest to their country.

I was speechless as I choked for words. I took this offering of food, which for me was more precious than anything else that night. I remember looking away as my eyes filled with tears at their kindness. I eventually found words to thank them. They just smiled and were simply delighted that I liked their offering of food.

Yep, that is the India I admire so much.

~ Josue Diaz