When the Fare Meter Stops: Real-Life Stories
When the Fare Meter Stops
A Silent Study of Human Behaviour
Opening
Life doesn’t always move by formulae.
Sometimes, it moves like traffic - unpredictable, impatient, and revealing.
That morning, our cab stopped at a busy signal. I was travelling with a Karate teacher. We were heading towards our Sports Day heat events - semi-finals of discipline, effort, and preparation. I didn’t know then that before reaching the playground, life itself would conduct a live experiment on human behaviour.
The Incident
At the signal, a well-educated lady insisted on entering our cab.
Fluent English. Confident presence. Early fifties. From a VIP locality.
She addressed the driver politely - “Papaji”, not “uncle ji”.
Politeness sounded refined, intention felt unclear.
I intervened gently, “Madam, we are going to Priyadarshini Park, Nepean Sea Road.”
For a moment, I forgot my past experiences. I forgot all my lessons. I forgot probability. I became a layman.
She opened the front door.
The driver stopped her.
Out of courtesy, I requested him to let her in.
She entered.
She smiled.
She left - with a broad smile and a loud thank you.
Without paying.
The driver was unfazed.
We were stunned.
The Driver’s Reality
For him, this wasn’t an exception.
It was routine.
He narrated another incident -
A lady dropped from Mumbai Airport to a posh area. Fare: ₹210. She refused to pay, offered gratitude instead. The argument escalated until a policeman intervened. Fearing false allegations, the policeman paid ₹100 from his own pocket and asked the driver to leave.
Justice didn’t fail that day.
Probability overpowered fairness.
The driver added calmly, “Sir, these things happen daily.”
A Pause for the Reader
The signal turned green.
The cab moved on.
But something within me had stopped.
That day, the fare meter stopped -
but a different calculation had just begun.
(To be continued on Monday)
Disclaimer:
The experiences and stories shared in this article are personal reflections of the author. They are meant for insight and human understanding, not professional advice. Readers are encouraged to interpret the content in context and according to their own judgment.
From the Desk of the Author:
These stories come from my own life experiences, observations, and reflections. My intention is to share meaning, not to instruct. May these insights invite reflection and compassion in everyday life.
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With heartfelt regards,
- Rakesh Kushwaha
Educator | Writer | Observer of Life’s Mathematics
I have an assumption in my mind that- any kind of help deserves a return too but the return is helpful only if the recipient is in a deficit of that thing/material/praise. If a person receives help from a pani-puri wala then returning a favour in the form of panipuri or dahi Puri makes no sense. Waiting for another blog...... interesting..
ReplyDeleteThank you, Miss Hasti, for such a nuanced and mature reflection.
DeleteYour assumption touches a very important psychological truth—that returning help is meaningful only when it actually addresses a need.
Help doesn’t demand a mirror response; it asks for appropriateness. As you rightly pointed out, returning pani-puri to a pani-puri wala may not add value—but respect, dignity, fair payment, or simple gratitude certainly does.
Sometimes, the best return is not material at all. It is empathy, acknowledgment, or choosing fairness when we hold power. Many imbalances arise not because help was given, but because understanding was missing.
I’m glad this thought stayed with you—and yes, the next blog will take this idea a step further.
Thank you for waiting with curiosity and depth.
Hindi saying “ Naki kar dariya mein dal” always works.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely true.
Delete“Neki kar, dariya mein daal” reminds us that goodness doesn’t seek return or recognition. When intention is pure, the outcome takes care of itself - often in unseen ways. Thank you for this timeless reminder. 🙏🏻✨