The Magic Ring

As the ATM machine was out of order I was compelled to go to the bank that day. The Bank was as usual crowded as it was the first week of the month. For once I was happy to be a senior citizen as the special queue for the seniors was very short. Within ten minutes my turn came. As I was just collecting my cash the counter girl smiled and said “That is a pretty ring you are having Madam. ”

For once second I did not understand what she said as she talked so softly. Seeing the confusion on my face she repeated her statement a bit louder. I smiled and said, “This is not a real gold one. I bought it for just Rs. 40/- You want to see this?” Without waiting for her approval I removed the ring and gave it in her hand. I was the last person in the queue and the young girl eagerly took the ring and turning it around said,” Amazing! I had never seen one like this” I stood amused by her appreciation for a simple ring. The ring slipped from her hand and rolled down.

Same time I heard a gunshot. Terrified as I turned I found four people covering their heads with Helmets and with a gun in their hands were standing in the center of the bank. Watching such a scene on TV is one thing, but being a part of a bank robbery is different. My hands and legs were shaking and I stood rooted down. The robbers have closed the outside shutter and the security man, who was probably hit by the robbers, was found sprawled on the floor.

The gun had shut everyone’s mouth and silently they obeyed all the orders of gangsters. All cell phones were collected and all the staff and the customers were made to stand in a corner. Taking the key from the manager they were looting the cash from the safe. It could have been only fifteen minutes. But it looked ages for all of us. Everyone was silently praying only for one thing--that they should leave us alive in the end.

Suddenly the shutter door was burst open and dozen police officers barged in. Within seconds the scene changed and the robbers surrendered without any resistance. As the police people left, there was huge applause as almost everyone danced with joy. Everyone was asking only one question. “How did the police get the information so quickly, when everyone has huddled in the corner away from the telephone and all the cell phones were snatched?”

Thanking God, as I started leaving, the cash counter girl called me. She said, “Madam your ring” I had totally forgotten about the ring. As I took the ring from the girl she whispered, “Madam your ring has saved the Bank today”

As I blinked she whispered, “I don’t want anyone to know this or my life may be in danger. As your ring rolled down I went under the counter to pick it up. Then I heard the commotion outside. I understood that the Robbers had come. Hiding under the counter I called the police on my cell phone. Because of the noise outside no one heard me. I remained hidden there till the police came. So thank you for the ring”

I said, “It is not my ring. But it is the presence of your mind and your courage which saved your Bank. Thank you for that.” Even today, when I think of that day I cannot believe what all happened. If I had not removed the ring to show that sweet girl, the robbers would have succeeded in their effort. It is true that sometimes the simplest gesture can change a life.