In the busy city of Kolkata, where life moved fast and roads were always crowded, my uncle stood out—not because of his education or wealth, but because of his big heart and fearless nature. Unlike his brothers and cousins, who had impressive degrees and jobs, my uncle chose a simple life as a state government bus driver. Despite his modest income, his home was always open to family and friends. No guest ever left without a good meal and a warm smile.
One morning, just after the grand
Durga Puja festival, as offices reopened and the city roared back to life with honking cars, shouting hawkers, and rushing pedestrians, my uncle drove his packed double-decker bus through the chaos. The bus swayed as passengers clung to rails, anxiously checking their watches, eager to reach their destinations.
As he approached the Gariahat intersection, my uncle suddenly spotted a familiar figure crossing the street. It was his elder cousin—a respected retired engineer—walking slowly, lost in thought. The traffic was heavy, and my uncle’s bus was moving fast. He honked loudly, but his cousin didn’t hear.
A wave of panic spread among the passengers as they realised the danger. The massive bus was heading straight for the old man, and there was no way he could move in time.
With no space to turn and no time to think, my uncle reacted on pure instinct. He slammed the brakes, and the bus screeched to a halt just inches from his cousin’s feet.
For a moment, everything went silent. The elderly man stood frozen, staring at the bus in shock. Inside, passengers let out a collective sigh of relief. Some whispered prayers, others simply sat in stunned silence.
Then, something completely unexpected happened.
Instead of staying in his seat and continuing the journey, my uncle jumped out of the driver’s cabin. The already frustrated passengers began shouting in anger, furious at the delay. But my uncle ignored them.
He walked straight to his cousin, folded his hands in respect, and then—right there, in the middle of the busy road—he lay flat on the ground, prostrating himself at his cousin’s feet. He had met his elder after a long time and chose to pay his respects in the most heartfelt way possible.
The old man, still shaken from the near accident, looked down in disbelief. The sight of a uniformed bus driver lying in the street in front of an elderly man left the crowd both amused and amazed. Some people laughed, others shook their heads, but no one could miss the deep love and respect behind his action.
The passengers, though still annoyed, couldn’t help but smile at the unexpected drama. Some even clapped as my uncle got up, dusted himself off, and shared a hearty laugh with his cousin.
Years later, the retired engineer would tell this story to anyone who would listen. “A brother like him, with such a big heart, should be in every home,” he would say with pride.
There were no cameras that day to capture the moment. No videos went viral. But for those who witnessed it, the memory of a kind-hearted bus driver’s fearless love and respect stayed forever in their hearts.
Authored by: Arun Kanti ChatterjeeIf you too have a soul-touching story to share, then send it to us at: soulcurry@timesinternet.in
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