An old man said."That's my wallet. Sir, please give it to me." The ticket collector said, "you will have to prove that it is yours only then I can hand it over to you." The old man, with a toothless smile, said."It has a picture of Lord Krishna in it."
The ticket collector said, "That's no proof, anyone can have a picture of krishna in his wallet." "What is special about that?" Why is your picture not there in it like most normal people?"
The old man took a deep breath and said, Let me tell you why my picture is not there in it. My father gave me this wallet when I was in school.I used to get small sum of pocket money then.I had kept the pictures of my parents in it.
"when I was a teenager I was greatly enamoured by my good looks. I removed my parent's picture and put in one of my own.I loved to see my own face and my thick black hair. Some years later, I got married. My wife was very beautiful and I loved her a lot.I replaced my picture in my wallet and put one of hers. I spent hours gazing at her pretty face.
"when my first child was born, my life started a new chapter. I shortened my working hours to play with my baby. I went late to work and returtned home early too. Obviously, my baby's picture occupied the prized position in my wallet."
The old man's eyes brimmed with tears as he went on. "My parents passed away many years ago. Last year my wife too left her mortal coil. My son, my only son is too busy with his family. He has no time to look after me.
"All that I had ever held so close to my heart is now far, far away from my reach. NOw I have put this picture of Krishna in my wallet. It is only now that I have realised that HE is the eternal companion. HE will never leave me. Alas ! If only I had realised this before. Had I had loved only LORD all these years, with the same intensity as I loved my family, I would not have been so lonely today!"
The ticket collector quietly gave the wallet to the old man. When the train stopped at the next station, he went to a book stall at the platform and asked the sales man. "do you have any pictures of GOD?" I need a small one to put in my wallet!"
Nothing lasts forever...our true forever companion is ourself only...and the ultimate solace one can have from God only...!!!
