Change
Change is very important in life
I booked an Ola cab to take my mom to the hospital for a checkup. The bill was Rs.225.
I ransacked my purse in which I had kept some 500-rupee notes keeping in mind the hospital expenses.
The Ola fellow flatly said he has no change.
But he was cooperative and agreed to wait till I paid him.
You should have seen my predicament when carrying a 500 rupee note in hand, I started asking the guards at the gate for change.
They pointed at the other set of guards at the hospital entrance who also expressed their inability to give me change!
I went to the pharma, who, shaking their head asked me to go to the reception.
The receptionist showed me her drawer to prove that she too doesn’t have change and guided me to the pharma again! I told her I’ve tried my luck in vain and they only have pushed me to you.
After a while…
Eureka…
An idea struck.
I went to the OPD reception and as I had to make an OPD slip for mom, I was sure of getting change there.
One of them took mercy on me and ushered me upstairs to the HR.
A patient who must have been watching me took pity on me and offered to Paytm.
I said…Thanks but if you Paytm how will I return your money. I still need that change!
The HR came out with 5-hundred rupee notes in lieu of my 500-rupee note !
So, half the problem was solved!
I still needed 25 rupees …
An antenatal patient’s husband (and many others started frisking their pockets and wallets to help)
opened his wallet and gave me Rs 20 smilingly (as that was the only change, he had !!)
I was still short of 5 rupees
Thanking him profusely I ran out to the patiently waiting Ola fellow and gave him the money still short of Rs 5.
He said it was ok and left.
Phew!
I rushed back into the hospital only to find that antenatal patient and husband making an exit. I stopped them, apologizing and asking them to wait as I owed them (the complete strangers) Rs 20/
No issues ma’am…they both said as I was embarrassed and relieved both….and walked back to my mom where I had kept her waiting.
I had learned a lesson.
Change is very important in one’s life.
Always keep some change in your purse!