Straw Hats

One of those early days when Swami took students to Kodaikanal, He taught His boys a practical lesson in caring and sharing.

That morning was cloudy and chilly.  He went out for a drive around nine and returned within half an hour.  He told the boys, "There is a small boy selling straw hats at the boat club.  Poor fellow - no one is buying the hats from him.  All of you go and purchase hats from him."  And gave a hundred rupee note to each of them.  As they were trooping out, He cautioned them, "Don't bargain with him about the price.  Pay him whatever price he quotes!"  Thus the boys went out on a mission of mercy entrusted to them by their Lord.  After the boys left, one of the elders observed, "What will the boys do with the straw hats here?"  Baba replied, "These boys don't need hats but the boy needs money."

As the students reached the boat club, they did see a young boy moving away with his load of straw has.  They ran behind him and surrounded him; the boy was very happy looking at so many customers together.  One of them asked him, "How much does a hat cost?"  The boy replied, "Sir, the cost is ten rupees.  But for your sake, I will reduce it by …."  The students did not allow him to complete the sentence. They told him, "You need not reduce the cost for us.  We will pay you ten rupees per hat."  It was a joyful shock for the young businessman; his face shone with inexpressible joy!  The boys wished that their Lord should have been there to see that joyful face.

Hardly had they paid the money and purchased the hats when there came Bhagawan in the car.  His face was beaming with joy.  Just then it started drizzling.  "Straw hats are good for rain," remarked Swami as He sped away in His car.  When they returned to Sai Sruti, the merciful Lord rewarded by granting them the opportunity for a photograph with Him.  They stood around Him with straw hats on their heads and many cameras clicked to capture a memorable scene!

(From: "Sathyam Siva Sundaram Vol. 6)