They are really Honest

Its been 6 years that I am practising ophthalmology in a rural setting. Peaple here may not be rich moneywise. but they are really honest, i mean most of them. u r always bound to find dishonest and mean creature any where on the surface of the earth. Its the percentage that counts.

this happened 4 years ago, when i was new in practice. ( i still am).
a friend of mine referred to me an old lady operated for cataract at a chritable clinic. she had got operated at a far off camp and could not go for her gkasses one month after surgery. he asked me to give some concession.

i examined her, and wrote down the prescription for glasses. "how much should I pay ?".

i asked her to pay just 10 rupees as a token.

she dug into her wallet and brought out a crumpled 10 rupee note.

but for that note, the wallet seemed to be empty.

she stayed 10 Km away from my clinic.

"do you have enough money for the bus ride back home ?" , I asked.

No was the reply.

"how on earth will you go home"

"walking". she replied as a matter of fact withou any qualms about it.

I felt shattered. that lady had given me all the money she had and was ready to walk 10 km ( approx 6 1/2 miles) back home.

inspite of her protests I returned her the money. she told me she would come back and pay me the next day. i told her not to worry. its okay, she need not pay.

2 days later, i was not even thinking of her, she came and paid me 10 rs.

i asked her, why she had come all the way again, when i had told her she need not pay. also she had spent 20 rupees on bus ticket to pay my 10 rupees.

the answer left me stunned:

" dear boy, for you it may be just 10 rupees at stake. but for me its my honesty at stake. i can go without food for a day, but cant have peaceful nights sleep when i know that i owe you some amount, however meagre it may be"

i did not know what to think, what to say.

They are really Honest, these village people!!