I am feeling wretched today. I can’t forgive myself for what I have done. I don’t know how I could have done this. I am feeling very lonely and very strange.

Today I went to the church like every weekend. I was returning back when I suddenly saw a boy standing outside the church. He looked very sullen and also hungry. He was looking at everyone with miserable eyes. I couldn’t stop myself from asking him what the matter was. When I asked the boy, he just started crying inconsolably. He was crying so bitterly that I didn’t know what to do.

I asked the boy about his parents and about his home, but he kept on crying. I felt very sad and took him to a near cafeteria. Over there we had sandwiches and coffee. The boy ate so hungrily that I felt very angry with God. I felt very sad for him. When we were about to leave, I gave the child some money and in the spur of the moment, I gave him my pocket bible that I always carry to church.

Oh God!!!!!! Why did I do this? I should not have done that. That bible was most precious to me. It has been my companion all these years. It was gifted by my mom to me on my first day in college. She had gifted me with so much love and told me that the bible will always show me the way. Ever since then, I have the bible with me, reading from it often, in moments of happiness and also crisis.

Now I have given away the very same bible. I don’t know what made me give the bible to him. I could have easily given the money and come away. But no- I had to become this great person. I am foolish, foolish and foolish. No other word describes me best. What do I do now? I feel a certain emptiness inside me. I feel that I have lost something dear to me.

I even quarreled with my wife. She was so surprised. She listened to all my ramblings and didn’t even say a word. Now I am here writing and she is busy talking on phone. Nobody cares for me in this house. Even if I will be lost, then my family wouldn’t bother to find me. Infact I am sure that they will heave a sigh of relief and think- Good Riddance.

I am feeling terribly upset. Let me take your leave now. Please take care. Bye.

The ‘common man’ sat alone in his room when he felt a reassuring hand on his shoulder. The common man was so shocked to see his mom standing in front of him. They both sat and talked for a long time. The mom listened to everything that had happened and to her son’s astonishment gave him a new bible that she had brought with her. The common was touched beyond measure. Now he knew whom his wife was calling when he was so sad.

The common man knew one thing now- he will never be lost in his life ever.