Story : The “Good Samaritan”
GOOD SAMARITANS
Many Good Samaritans render Yeoman’s Service — silently and unselfishly — in a purely altruistic manner.
They are compassionate people who unselfishly help others — even strangers — in acts of kindness.
On the other hand — some persons — they keep boasting about their “good work”.
This story is for them…
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Neki kar aur dariya mein daal
(Do Good and Throw it in the River)
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Are You Drowning in Obligations…?
Story By Vikram Karve
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PART 1
DROWNING IN WATER
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Once upon a time — while crossing the flimsy log bridge — a woman fell into a deep river.
The woman did not know how to swim.
So — the woman started drowning in the river.
The woman was rescued from drowning by a man — a “Good Samaritan” — who jumped into the river and saved the woman from drowning.
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Later — every time the “Good Samaritan” met the woman — he reminded her of how he had saved her life by rescuing her from drowning in the river.
Whenever he met the woman — the “Good Samaritan” emphasized his good deed.
He kept on repeating ad nauseam how the woman should be grateful to him for her being alive.
Yes — this went on and on — every time the woman met the “Good Samaritan” — he reminded her of his good deed — how he had saved her life by jumping into the river and rescuing her from drowning.
The woman was absolutely fed up with this repeated talk of the “Good Samaritan” reminding her of his good deed and how he had rescued her from drowning.
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PART 2
DROWNING IN OBLIGATIONS
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One day — while crossing the river at the same bridge — the woman saw the “Good Samaritan” approaching her from the other side.
The moment she saw the “Good Samaritan” man — the woman suddenly jumped into the river — and — she began drowning.
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Yes — Dear Reader — the moment the woman saw the “Good Samaritan” — she jumped into the river.
The “Good Samaritan” man saw the spectacle of the woman jumping into the river.
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The “Good Samaritan” man ran towards the spot — and he shouted to the drowning woman:
“What is wrong with you…?
Why did you jump into the river…?
Don’t worry — I am coming to save you…!!!”
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The “Good Samaritan” man was about to jump into the water to save the drowning woman — when he heard the woman shouting at him.
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The woman shouted to the “Good Samaritan”:
“No…! No…! No…!
Please don’t jump into the river to save me.
Please don’t save me.
Let me drown.
It is better for me to drown in the river — rather than drown under your obligations…”
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Yes — Dear Reader:
That is what the woman said to the “Good Samaritan”:
“It is better for me to drown in the river — rather than drown under your obligations…”
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MORAL OF THE STORY
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It is best to do good and forget about it.
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As they say in Hindi:
“Neki kar aur dariya mein daal…”
(Do Good and Throw it in the River)
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Why boast about your good deeds…?
Isn’t it better to do good and remain silent about it…?
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VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve
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© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
Link to my original post in my Blog Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/09/drowning-in-obligations.html
Revised Extract repost of my article OBLIGATIONS posted by me online many times earlier in my blogs including at urls: https://karve.wordpress.com/2020/01/07/neki-kar-aur-dariya-mein-daal-do-good-and-throw-it-in-the-river-2/ and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2008/08/wisdom-stories.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/03/obligation.html and https://karve.wordpress.com/2020/12/31/good-bye-2020/ and https://karve.wordpress.com/2020/10/28/do-good-and-forget-about-it/ and https://karve.wordpress.com/2021/04/27/neki-kar-aur-dariya-mein-daal-do-good-and-throw-it-in-the-river-3/ etc
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
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