"Why Didn’t You Scold Me?"- Friday Special ✨

 Friday Special ✨

"Why Didn’t You Scold Me?"

 – A Journey That Changed My Awareness

Some experiences arrive quietly…

Yet they leave a lifelong imprint.

Today’s Friday Special shares one such real incident — unexpected, unforgettable, and deeply reflective.

A journey where one man’s mistake, and one moment of generosity, changed the way I look at responsibility forever.

Real Story: The Midnight Confusion on a Train

Travelling with students on educational trips is always a major responsibility.

It’s fun for students!

And for teachers?

For teachers, a train journey is never relaxation — it is constant alertness. Students move around to meet friends, passengers complain, and we ensure everyone settles down safely and sleeps on time.

Every year brings a new story, but this one remains very close to my heart. Sometimes I laugh at it, sometimes I feel pity, and at times I even blame myself for what happened.

We were returning from our Mount Abu trip. It was midnight. The entire group was fast asleep.

Suddenly, a few of my most responsible students woke me up.

“Sir, a new passenger is claiming our seat.”

I immediately went to check.

The man confidently showed his ticket.

To my surprise, the coach number and seat number matched ours exactly.

I was taken aback.

A memory flashed in my mind — years ago, my father had to pay a heavy fine because a ticket was mistakenly booked for the next month. That incident made me extremely cautious about checking every detail.

So, I checked the date.

It was correct.

There was no TTE in the coach. The camp organiser and escorts were asleep. Disturbing them didn’t feel right at that hour.

So we adjusted.

My students shared berths without any complaint and completed the night journey peacefully.

Morning arrived. We reached CST, Mumbai.

I saw the same man sitting on the platform, visibly unsettled. Out of courtesy, I asked him gently:

“Hope you managed to sleep well?”

He looked directly at me and said something that stunned me:

“You should have scolded me.

Your generosity became my punishment.

I boarded the wrong train.

I was supposed to travel to South India…

But I landed up in Mumbai.”

No one was around me — my colleagues and students had already walked ahead.

I had no words.

I simply walked away in silence.

That moment changed something inside me — permanently.

Reflections

• Sometimes kindness comforts someone…

but sometimes kindness delays reality.

• We try to be gentle,

when what the other person actually needs is clarity.

• A small oversight — a date, a number, a name — can completely change a person’s journey.

• Teachers carry responsibilities not only for students, but for everything unfolding around them.

Takeaways

● Even a minor mistake or carelessness may lead to a major loss. Always double-check train numbers, dates, coach details, and timings — not only for yourself, but for others too.

● Kindness is precious, but awareness is essential. Be kind, but be vigilant.

● Never assume everything is correct just because it appears to be.

● One moment of attention can save someone from a long, difficult detour.

● Responsibility is not about authority; it’s about alertness.

From the Desk of the Author

Dear Readers,

This incident may appear simple, but it shaped my awareness forever.

Even today, whenever I check a ticket — mine or someone else’s — I verify every detail carefully. Because sometimes life doesn’t give us a second chance to catch the right train.

Thank you for reading today’s Friday Special.

It may seem common, but its consequences run deep.

Warm regards,

Rakesh Kushwaha

Mumbai

Disclaimer

This is a true incident narrated from personal experience. Names have been intentionally omitted to maintain privacy. The purpose of this story is awareness and learning, not criticism. Readers are encouraged to verify all travel details carefully for their own safety.