提 要

美國作家及勵志演說家史蒂夫．馬拉博利（Steve araboli）說：「The right thing to do and the hard thing to do are usually the same thing.」（難做的與該做的事，往往是同一件事。）

知名盲人作家吉姆．史都瓦（Jim Stovall）說：「Integrity is doing the right thing, even if nobody is watching.」（正直是做對的事，即便沒有人在看。）

做「該做的事」，持身正直，就是對得起自己，就無愧於天地。

It was a cold and windy night. My friend and I had met after a long time, and were chatting for hours. We did not notice the time passing by, and soon it was close to ten in the night. We decided to take an auto rickshaw for home.

It started raining, and we hurried to get into an auto rickshaw and reach my place. None of the auto rickshaws stopped for us, except one.

The driver asked us where we wanted to go and we told the place. Without talking anything about the fare, he said, "please get in!" We thanked the auto driver for stopping.

Since it was very cold, I asked the driver to stop at any small restaurant or a tea shop, we liked to have a cup of hot tea. The driver stopped near a cafe.

We ordered for tea, and asked the driver to join us and have a cup of tea, the driver refused. I insisted him to take a cup as it could be refreshing.

Again the driver refused to drink tea.

My friend asked, "Will you not take tea from this shop or what?"

The driver replied, "No Sir, I don't feel like having tea now."

I asked again, "But, why? A cup of tea will do no harm."

The driver with all smiles replied, "Thank you sir, but I'm sorry."

My friend asked, "Do you have any habit that you won't eat outside?"

The driver said, "No!"

My friend became angry with the driver and said, "You think we are not equal to share a cup of tea with you?"

The driver remained silent and never replied.

I was really surprised at his behavior and asked my friend not to compel him.

In 15 minutes, we reached our house. We paid the fare and he thanked us.

I stopped him, as I really wanted to ask him why he refused to drink tea.

He thought for a minute and replied, "Sir, my son passed away this noon in an accident. I don't have enough money for his funeral. So I promised not to drink even water, until I earn enough money for my son's funeral. That's why I didn't drink tea when you offered. Please do understand."

We both were shattered and offered him more money for his son's funeral.

I said, "Please take this."

He politely refused, "Thank you for your generosity sir. In one or two hours, if I get one or two more customers, I will earn sufficient money I need." And he left the place.

He could have charged us double or even triple the usual rate due to rain. Still, he received the nominal auto fare. In spite of his poor financial condition, his deep sorrow, the auto driver remained honest and stood by his words!

解 說

那是一個寒風凜冽的夜晚，我與許久不見的朋友見面，一聊就是好幾小時。我們沒注意時光流逝，很快就到了晚上十時，於是我們決定搭人力車回家。

開始下雨了，我們想趕快找到人力車，回我住的地方。幾乎所有的人力車都沒有為我們停下，只有一部除外。

司機問我們想要去哪，我們告訴他地方後，完全沒有討論車資，他就說：「請上車！」我們感謝司機為我倆停下來。

由於實在非常冷，我請司機在隨便一個小餐廳或茶葉店停一下，我們想喝杯熱茶。司機就近在一個小餐廳停下。

我們點了茶，並要求司機加入我們，一起喝杯茶，司機拒絕了。我堅持要他來一杯，因為這可以提振精神。

司機再一次拒絕喝茶。

我的朋友問：「你是不願意喝這家店的茶嗎？」

「不是的，先生，我現在不想喝茶。」司機回答

我又問：「可是，為什麼呢？一杯茶又不礙事。」

司機堆滿笑容說，「謝謝你，先生，但我很抱歉。」

我的朋友問：「你是不是有『不吃外食』的習慣？」

司機說：「不是！」

我的朋友開始生氣地說：「你覺得我們不配跟你一起喝杯茶嗎？」

司機保持沉默、不回答。

我很驚訝他的反應，要求我的朋友別強迫他。

十五分鐘後，到達了我的房子，我們付了車費，司機表示謝謝。

我攔住了他，因為我真的很想知道，他為什麼不肯喝茶。

他想了一會兒之後 回答：「先生，我的兒子今天中午在一次意外中過世了，我沒有足夠的錢為他辦葬禮。所以，我承諾直到我賺到足夠的錢為他辦葬禮之前，不喝任何東西，即使是水也一樣。這就是為什麼我不喝茶的原因，請您諒解。」

我們聽了都非常震驚，並想給他更多的錢讓他為兒子辦葬禮。

我說：「請收下。」

他禮貌地拒絕：「謝謝你的慷慨，先生。再過一或兩個小時，如果我載到一或兩個以上的客戶，我就會賺足夠的錢了。」然後他離開了。

因為天氣惡劣，他本來可以收取我們的兩倍甚至三倍的車資。但他仍然照標準公訂價收費。儘管他的財務狀況窘困，又痛失至親，這位司機仍然誠實待人、信守承諾！