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In a small hotel in our town, a heart-wrenching scene unfolded before my eyes. A 10-year-old child, with a bucket in hand, approached the counter, accompanied by a poignant request. "Brother, my mother asked me to buy 10 idlis. We'll pay you tomorrow." The hotel owner's response was nothing short of extraordinary.

"I don't need the money, child. Tell your mother I've taken care of it. Take the idlis and this bucket of sambar." As the child's eyes lit up, the hotel owner handed over the parcel and the steaming bucket of sambar.

I, a regular at the hotel, couldn't help but ask, "Why give them away if they can't pay?" The hotel owner's words left me speechless:

"Food is not just a commodity, sir. It's a basic human need. When children come to me with hunger in their eyes, I couldn't possibly refuse. Their trust in me is all that matters. The money will come, but for now, a family will eat, and that's what counts."

He continued, his voice filled with conviction, "If I didn't give them food, that child might have stolen to feed his mother, or worse, his mother might have been driven to desperation. By giving them food, I've prevented two potential wrongs in our society."

His words echoed the wisdom of a grandmother I had met in my youth. She sold dosas in Kumbakonam and would often lend me money to satisfy my hunger. When I asked her how she could trust me to repay her, she smiled and said:

"Oh, son, if you repay me, it's a profit for my business. But if you don't, it's a credit to my karma. Give, give as much as you can. The gift of giving is a blessing for our well-being."

In that moment, I realized that true wealth lies not in our bank accounts, but in the positive impact we have on the lives of others. The hotel owner's selfless act and the grandmother's wisdom continue to inspire me to this day.