Star Diary

A RARE MOMENT OF HONESTY

Nasir, a tong (road side teashop) owner's son, came to me while I was sipping my tea, with a Diamond World bag in his one hand and a debit card in the other asking me what it was. He found them at the Gulshan lake. I explained to him what it was and asked him what he wants to do with them. "Is there any way I can return them to the owner?" he asked me. Every now and then, the world reminds you that humanity is born beautiful and it was one of those moments. Nasir's honesty amazed me, he didn't think about stealing even for once.
I took Nasir right away to Diamond World to return the bag where the owners patted Nasir and served him coffee while I gave him a tour of the shop. "I don't like drinking coffee; diamonds are so useless," he said. Then we returned the debit card to the bank and I could see happiness on his face for the appreciation that he received for his work. 
We went back to his father's shop and he hugged me. I couldn't express how much his little deed meant amidst all the chaos around to me. The world gives you positive energy in so many unexpected ways.
Adnan MS Fakir
Dhaka

TOUGH LOVE

The other day I found a little boy throwing stones at a helpless puppy and laughing at his pain. I wanted to stop him from hitting the puppy and was even ready to deliver a speech about the cruelty of his actions when I saw a woman come out of a small room of the roadside slum that the child lived in. She took one look at the injured dog, picked it up and started to nurse its wounds. The woman, I realised, was his mother. When he asked her why she wasn't speaking to him, the mother replied that she disliked talking to cruel and insensitive people who hurt small animals. At this the boy burst into a wail and started to apologise to his mother, telling her that he'd never repeat his mistake. After a while, she softened and took him in her arms, explaining why he should never use violence against beings that are weaker than him. I was moved by this scene where an impoverished mother is imparting lessons of humanity and kindness to her son. If every household had a parent like hers, the world will truly be a better place to live in. 
Samira Hossain
Dhaka