THE FRUIT OF MORALITY

Badruddin Ahmed (born 1938) was a resident of Moradabad. He narrated several moving incidents about the communal riots that took place there.  These riots began on August 13, 1980, and continued intermittently for the next month. During the riots, a curfew was in place. Everywhere there was disorder. People ran out of food in their homes. Badruddin Sahib said that during those days we could not get milk. So, we would make tea with hot water and drink it without milk.

A police officer, Mr. Sharma, bought some brass toys (showpieces) from a shop. He wanted to have them polished. He came to Badruddin Ahmed for this work. Badruddin polished the toys but did not take any payment. As a result of this good conduct, whenever the officer went on his daily rounds, he would stop his vehicle outside Badruddin’s house, get down, and ask if there was any problem, and whether they needed anything. In this way, he came at least once every day.

One day, when Mr. Sharma came, Badruddin Sahib was holding his small child (Najmuddin Ahmed) in his arms. Mr. Sharma asked, “This child must still be drinking milk?” Badruddin replied, “Yes.” Mr. Sharma then said, “Are you having any trouble getting milk these days?” Badruddin replied, “We do have difficulty, because there is curfew.” Mr. Sharma left. The next day, when he returned, he brought with him two tins of Glaxo milk. Handing them over, he said, “This is a gift from me for your child.”

God has placed the greatest power of influence in good character. Good character is a silent weapon that works on everyone—even the staunchest enemy.