Leading The Way

I’m the oldest among us three siblings and never had I realized that I was always being watched. I would always do the things that I did without really giving it a second thought that my actions were being constantly observed, and perhaps even judged. Now, I’m the soft-hearted kind; I melt the moment I see a homeless person or a ragged little child on the street trying to make a sale so as to get at least a meal for the day. I don’t blink an eye to even immerse my hands in my pockets and take out whatever little money I had there. And if I don’t have any, I simply open my lunchbox and give all the food that I had in there. I did what I did out of sheer remorse for the unfortunate ones. Of course I never did reveal to anyone, even my siblings with whom I am extremely close, my caring, sensitive side for fear that people might take advantage of my good nature. I knew full well that there were those in this world who were ready to pounce and take what they can get once they knew about a person’s weakness. Yes, helping the poor what my weakness; at least that is what I thought and kept is to myself. Little did I know that my siblings always kept an eye on me like hawks; only I was not prey!

It happened on a winter afternoon when the sun decided that it would be better to hide is shining face behind the clouds. Tanya, 13 and Tarang, 15 my younger two siblings were walking ahead of me. We were on our way back home from school. As the cold winds blew harder, we pulled at our blazers, trying as hard to keep ourselves warm. As we took the curb near our home, we noticed a homeless old lady desperately struggling to cover her head with a battered cloak. The harder she tried, the harder the wind decided that he wouldn’t let her. How frustrated she must have been! She didn’t give up. She tattered cloak must not have been warm enough, but something was better than nothing. In a last ditch-effort, she tugged at the cloak only to have it split into halves. The desperate old woman was out of her wits; what was she going to do. She probably thought she would freeze to death. My heart went out to her. What could I do? How could I help her? No money in world could keep her warm and at that time it wasn’t food that could keep her alive. I knew that this time I would have to just turn the other way and pretend that I hadn’t been a witness to the woman’s plight.

As we reached the front porch, Tanya hastily rushed to ring the doorbell. Her constant ringing was received by a frown and harsh words from our mother. Tanya didn’t seem to care. Her impatience got the better her and she rushed to her room. I didn’t follow her; I went about my own business. In the next moment, I saw her make her way outside the house.

“I’ll be right back,” she called out as she slammed the door.

“What was that all about?” said mother.

“I’ll go and check on her,” I said.

Curiosity got the better of me and I followed her. In her hand was an old blanket that was never used by us. Mother had been saving it to give it to someone needy. Well, Tanya was about to help someone needy. I noticed her from a distance; I hid behind a lamppost for fear that Tanya might find me out. I made every effort to eavesdrop but couldn’t really get myself to hear clearly owing to the whistling of the wind and the zooming cars. All I could understand was the old woman was grateful to my sister as the latter wrapped the warm blanket around the former. The smile on her face was enough to warm my sister’s heart. Tanya bade her farewell and in a moment she was heading back home. I quickly turned and ran as fast as I could.

“Hey, Tina…wait up!” Tanya shouted.

I had to stop running. She had found me out.

“Were you spying on me?” said Tanya.

“Uh…no…yes…sorry!” I couldn’t lie to my little sister.

“That’s okay. Please don’t tell mum. I know eventually she will notice that the blanket is missing, but I don’t want to make a big deal about helping that lady.”

“I know what you mean. It does feel good, doesn’t it?” I said.

“Actually, I have you to thank for this change in me,” said Tanya.

“ME?” I had no clue about what Tanya was about to say. Apparently, my good gestures had been noticed by my sister. She told me about the many times when I thought no one was looking I gave a helping hand to the person who was in need. She was inspired by me to help the poor and the downtrodden.

I was thrilled that had I unknowingly made a good impression on my younger sibling. Just then Tarang showed up. He had a guilty look on his face.

“What…what are you doing here?” he said.

“Nothing! We’re on our way home. What are you doing here? And what do you have back there?” I said as I noticed Tarang hiding a pair of woolen gloves.

“Uh…nothing….just gloves,” he said.

“But you’re not wearing them,” said Tanya.

“I…I will…I am,” said Tarang timorously.

Tarang was hiding something from us.

“Why don’t you girls head home! I’ll be home in a minute,” he said trying desperately for us to get out of his way.

“Fine! Whatever!” said Tanya. Both of us began walking home. When we took the turn home, we decided to see what Tarang was up to. To our surprise, we saw him hand over the gloves to the old lady.

“Well, I guess it’s not just me you’ve influenced, Tina,” said Tanya as she smiled at me. At that moment I realized being the oldest is a big responsibility. I had to keep doing the right thing. After all, I was changing the world in my own little way.

Moral: Always do the right thing; do it especially when no one is looking you.