Arun

IN a small, bustling village, there lived a man named Arun, known by everyone for his dedication and hardworking nature. He wasn’t rich, but he was content with his life. Arun made a modest living by working as a mechanic in the village, fixing bicycles and helping people maintain their vehicles. His tiny workshop, tucked at the end of a narrow alley, was filled with bikes of all shapes and sizes, each one a testament to his skill and knowledge.

One day, as Arun was working on a customer's bicycle, he noticed something strange. A young man, dressed in simple clothes, walked up to the shop, looking a little out of place. He seemed hesitant at first but then approached Arun.

“Excuse me, sir,” the man said, his voice uncertain. “I heard you fix bikes. I need help with mine.”

Arun looked up from his tools and saw the man holding an old, rusted bicycle. Its frame was bent, and the tires were flat. Arun knew that this bike wasn’t just an ordinary one—it was a Handa, a brand of bicycle that was well-known for being sturdy and reliable. But this one had clearly seen better days.

“I can fix it,” Arun replied with a smile. “But it’ll take some time.”

The young man nodded eagerly. "Please do your best. I need to get it back on the road today. It's the only way I can make it to my job."

Intrigued, Arun agreed to help. Over the next few hours, he carefully worked on the bike, straightening the frame, replacing the tires, and greasing the chain. As he worked, he learned that the man’s name was Rajesh, and he had recently moved to the village to work at a factory on the outskirts. The bicycle was his only means of transportation, and without it, he would have no way to get to work.

“Where are you from?” Arun asked, as he tightened the last bolt.

“I’m from a village far away,” Rajesh explained. “I had a motorbike before, but it broke down, and I couldn’t afford to fix it. This bicycle is my only option now.”

As Arun finished up the repairs, he stood back and admired the work he’d done. The Handa bike looked almost new again. Rajesh’s eyes widened in disbelief when he saw it.

“Thank you so much,” he said, his voice filled with gratitude. “I can’t afford to pay you much, but I’ll find a way to repay you someday.”

Arun chuckled. “No need for repayment. Just make sure you take care of it. That’s all I ask.”

Rajesh was overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of the mechanic. Before leaving, he promised to take good care of the bike and be more careful in the future.

Years passed, and the village grew, but Arun’s small workshop remained a trusted place for all things bicycles. One day, a familiar face appeared at his door. It was Rajesh, now dressed in a neat uniform and looking more confident than ever.

“I kept my promise,” Rajesh said, smiling broadly. He handed Arun a small gift—an old but well-kept photograph of the two of them with the Handa bicycle.

“Here, this is for you,” Rajesh continued. “You helped me when I had nothing. Because of you, I’m able to take care of my family and build a better future. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without your help.”

Arun looked at the photo and smiled, feeling a deep sense of fulfillment. The bicycle had been more than just a mode of transportation—it had been the key to a new chapter in Rajesh’s life. And that was the real reward Arun had hoped for all along: knowing that his small act of kindness had made a difference in someone’s life.

From that day on, the story of the man who fixed the Handa bicycle spread through the village. It became a tale not just of mechanics and bikes, but of how a small act of kindness can change the course of someone’s life forever.