It was in Goa in the year 2005. A group of Europeans had come to spend holidays in our resort during X-mas.

I was on my morning rounds of the property. While at the swimming pool I saw one of the gentleman from the group searching for some thing on the towel he had spread on the deck bed. He has his spectacles in one of his hand. A book was lying by his side. It did not take any time for me to realize that the small screw holding the glasses in the rim had slipped and the gentleman had difficulty reading the book.

I approached him and offered help. He asked me as to who I was? I told him that I was the Chief Engineer of the resort. He sprang with joy for two reasons. One that he had found the little screw which had come out and two that I could probably solve his problem by repairing the glasses otherwise he will have to go to the city to get the same repaired and his one day will go waste.

I took the spectacles and came to my workshop. One of the technicians repaired the glasses by tightening the screw back in place and also applied some glue to retain it.

I took the spectacles and gave back to the gentleman. Putting the specs on, I saw a smile coming to his face, and he looked. up “How much do I owe you for this?” he asked. “Your smile is my reward Sir” I said.

He got up and shook my hand profusely thanking me and admiring the Indian hospitality.

A small gesture can change one’s ways of thinking.