One day, in a busy airport, an empty tin lay on the floor. It had been there for a long time, yet nobody seemed to care about it. People walked past it without paying attention. Some noticed it but chose to ignore it. The tin remained in the same spot, making the place look untidy.
A group of people standing nearby decided to make an announcement. They said that anyone who picked up the tin and threw it into the dustbin would receive a special prize. They wanted to see if anyone would take responsibility for keeping the place clean.
Thousands of travelers moved through the airport, but not a single person took action. Some were in a hurry to catch their flights, while others were busy talking or looking at their phones. Even those who saw the tin and knew about the prize still chose to walk past it.
Time passed, and nearly an hour later, an old lady happened to walk by. She was not in a rush, and when she saw the tin, she paused. She bent down, picked it up, and carried it to the nearest dustbin. Without expecting anything in return, she did what was right.
Everyone in the airport who had been watching the tin was amazed. As soon as she threw it into the bin, people started clapping for her. The group who had announced the prize stepped forward and handed her a reward. She smiled kindly and thanked them, though it was clear she had not done it for the prize but simply because she cared about cleanliness.
This small act of kindness and responsibility gave everyone something to think about. If we all act like the old lady and take care of our surroundings, the world would be much cleaner and healthier. It is not difficult to do the right thing—it only takes a moment to pick up trash and put it where it belongs.
Let us all learn from this wise lady. If each one of us makes an effort to keep our environment clean, we can live in a world free from dirt and germs. So next time you see trash lying around, don’t wait for someone else to pick it up. Take the step yourself and be the change.
