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| Once
Iswarachandra Vidya Sagar
was proceeding to a neighbouring village to deliver
an address. People used to gather in large numbers
to listen to his lectures. A young officer, who
wanted to listen to Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar's lecture,
got down from a train with a bag to go to the Lecture-hall. |
| Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar also got
down from the same train. The young officer was
calling for a porter to carry his bag. Iswar Chandra
went to him and said: "Why do you need a coolly
to carry this small bag? Can't you carry it yourself
and save the money?" He replied: "It is not in keeping
with my dignity to carry my bag. I am an educated
person." Iswar Chandra told him: "The hallmark of
education is humility, not pride. If you cannot
carry your own bag, how are you carrying your body?
If, however, you cannot carry your own bag, I shall
do so." And Iswar Chandra carried the officer's
bag. He acted on the motto: "Plain living and high
thinking." The young man wanted to offer money to
his 'porter'. Iswar Chandra told him: "To serve
you is my reward". |
| The young officer left and was later
proceeding to the venue of the meeting. There people
were offering garlands to Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar
to welcome him to the meeting. The young officer
realised that the man who had offered to carry his
bag at the station was none other than the respected
speaker of the evening, Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar.
He felt ashamed that he had made such a great man
carry his bag. He reflected: "What is his education
and what is mine? I am like a glow worm before the
Sun." |
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