A life lesson in the tying of shoelaces
I am reminded of an amazing act of kindness that I experienced many years ago.
The meeting request had filtered down from Bombay House to my Boss who in turn asked me to attend as he was out of town. This was a high level business delegation from The Netherlands visiting Mumbai on a business trip. The Tata Group as one of the largest Indian investors in The Netherlands was invited to attend. This very formal meeting, was chaired by HE the Ambassador of The Netherlands.
I had recently broken my left leg and it was in a cast. I was hobbling along with a bootie like contraption that looked like a very large bathroom slipper attached to the cast on the left leg. A trekking pole supported my very labored and limited ambulation. Even so, I needed to attend this meeting despite my incapacitation.
The trouser leg of my best suit, to my great relief, was able to slip over the cast on my leg. Attired formally to my best dapper self, a very garish blue bootie on one foot and a well-polished leather Oxford lace-ups on the other, I hobbled into the meeting.
The meeting went off well and as it ended, we said our goodbyes and proceeded to exit. As I limped towards the door I noticed that the shoelace on my one lace-up shoe had come completely undone.
It was clear to me that it would be pretty much impossible for me to reach the shoe and tie up the laces. I had one foot in a rigid cast, unable to bear my weight and the straight backed formal meeting chairs around offered no way to support myself and tie the shoelace.
The Ambassador noticed my situation. A middle-aged lady about 15 years my senior in age, she immediately asked me “Can I tie the shoelace for you?”
I was visibly mortified and said "No. Please, I shall manage.”
“But I insist” said the Ambassador.
“Madam Ambassador, as per Indian culture it would not be proper for an elder and a superior to touch my feet” I replied.
“Did your Mother never tie your shoelace when you were a child? Think of me as your Mother today.” she replied.
Before I could reply she went down on her knees in front of the whole gathering and tied my shoelace for me. I felt my eyes brimming with tears with this amazing and unexpected act of kindness.
Years later, one rarely remembers the raise in salary, the title, the promotion or the award. But one never forgets how another person made one feel.
That was a very important meeting indeed. It taught me the very important power of unexpected kindness.
Chief Operating Officer
3 年Nice one
SCM Consultant | Supply Chain Head | QMS Auditor | BPR | Warehousing | Supplier Mgmt. | Lecturer Post Grad.
4 年Thanks for sharing Mr. Roy. A good deed does not depend on the person giving and receiving it, for their age, religion or creed. Your narration has proved that when two humans are involved all the man made boundaries are crossed without hesitation and prejudice.
Managing Director at Itvara Hospitality Pvt. Ltd.
4 年Nice share Mr.Roy, Every small interaction with someone is an opportunity to have a positive impact on both of your lives.
Marketing Lead - India, Middle East & Africa Region | Views are personal.
4 年Lovely article. I had a similar experience once when a 4 year old girl gave me a flower on last day of a family wedding since she noticed that I was running around to make all arrangements and she wanted to say Thank You.! Whenever I think of that moment I swell up.