Looking back at my life, one of the moments I am proudest of is the day I stayed true to my core belief- honesty.
I remember vividly when I and my two siblings were so hungry that I had no choice but to use the last money I had to buy two cups of rice. It was barely enough, but at least we could eat. When I got to the shop, I asked the attendant for two cups of rice. He measured, packaged it, collected the money from me, and I left.
On getting home, I poured the rice into a tray as usual, but this time, it looked more than what I often bought. Out of curiosity, I decided to remeasure it, and to my surprise, it was three cups instead of two. For a moment, I thought of how lucky I was, especially since we needed the food badly. But deep down, I knew it would not be right to keep what was not mine.
So, I repackaged the extra cup and went back to the shop to return it. The shop attendant was shocked. He asked, “Do we still have people like you?” That single act of honesty not only earned me his respect but also built a friendship. Till today, he often tells others about me whenever I buy from him.
That experience taught me that true integrity is tested when no one is watching, and when we are in need the most. It may not always be convenient to be honest, but it is always rewarding. Honesty builds trust, respect, and lasting relationships that money cannot buy.
Thanks for reading
@ritaetim
