Amy
English 1010
March 16, 2014
What
Goes Around, Comes Around
Deep within each of us is a primitive desire to help old
grandmas across the street, help a new mother unload her groceries, stop the
shopping carts from rolling away and hitting cars in the parking lot, or pick
up a child’s dropped toy. To many, this is not considered heroic, but in fact
it is these simple kindnesses and everyday acts of service that affect us most
of all. A YouTube video posted on September 13, 2013 highlights one these
selfless acts; giving of our time to help those in need.
During the 3 minute and
20 second video clip, a young boy is caught by a shopkeeper for stealing
medicine for his mom. Instead of standing by and watching, another shopkeeper
from a neighboring shop pays for the medicine, and gives the child some extra vegetable
soup that he always has on hand to help the poor and homeless. Without thanking
the kind man for the soup and medicine, the child runs off. 30 years pass and
the video shows the same kind shopkeeper, well now into his senior years,
giving vegetable soup to another man who was clearly homeless. Seconds later
the shopkeeper falls and seriously hurts his head. The daughter receives the
medical bills, for 742,000 Thai baht which is the equivalent of around $24,546.46.
Anxious about paying the bills, the daughter decides that it was best to sell
the shop that the old shopkeeper owned for over 30 years. Miraculously, the
next morning she finds a note with the summary of medical charges, and is
surprised to see that the bills have been paid in full with the following words
written, “All expenses paid 30 years ago, with three packs of painkillers and a
bag of veggie soup.” The note was signed by the doctor who was caring for the
old, kind shopkeeper. Although the creator of the video is unknown, he evokes
such an emotional response that would “transcend all cultural and language
barriers”. Meaning, regardless of the language and culture that we are a native
of, we cannot deny that through helping others with no thoughts of reward,
there will be a day that another will do the same for us.
The video, while filmed in the slums of Thailand, is consistent
to the time and age of modern civilization. During the hospital scenes, we see
modern equipment such as heart monitors, MRI images, oxygen tanks, an IV
standing in the corner, and a classic hospital room with military style folded
corners. We also see the usage of modern cooking utensils in the kitchen of the
shop, as well as the façade of the buildings showing a modern style of
architecture. In addition to the modern equipment, the cost of the modern
medical procedures has drastically increased from only $2,800 per person per
ten years to $7,500 in the past 20 years. (Chideya) This is essential to
note when we examine the cost for all of the procedures was a staggering
792,000 Baht or $24,546.46 (Bloomberg). As new innovations
in the medical world appear, so does the cost of the medical care, thus leading
me to believe that this video was filmed within the last 10 years.
Whether we know someone who is seriously ill, or we know
of a friend who cares for a seriously ill person, we can unanimously agree that
it is difficult to see those that we love suffer. As I watch the segment of the
video as the boy steals medicine for his mother, my heart instantly breaks. The
filmmaker uses that feeling to enhance the meaning, and emphasize selfless
giving and awareness of other’s needs. We pity the child as he watches his
mother’s health begin to fail her. It is also likely that the child’s father is
either too busy working to help his wife, or completely out of the picture. As
the video continues we notice the shopkeeper’s daughter standing behind her
father, quietly watching on. How many times have we watched our parents
selflessly serving those they know and those they don’t? Memories of my father
caring for my grandfather who suffered from dementia and Alzheimer’s, or my
mother taking care of my grandmother as she struggled with a broken leg during
the later years of her life resurface as I put myself into the shoes of the
dutiful daughter watching on. We begin to wonder; if this old shopkeeper was
willing to serve the homeless, and those he most certainly didn’t know, then
what can I do? By simply keeping a plastic bag with a bowl of vegetable soup
inside, this man made a difference in many lives.
The filmmaker is indeed a talented artist. He has the
ability to capture the life of a modern shopkeeper in the slums of Thailand,
but also capture the hardships that each family will face as they struggle to
survive. The filmmaker does not try to hide the unpleasantness of living in the
slums. Sometimes life is unfair and cruel and being unable to pay for medicine
as you watch someone suffer is torturous. He is able to identify major problems
and use them to his advantage to prove that we can make a difference by doing the
small things in life. It may not necessarily mean that we should donate
thousands upon thousands to charities, but we can certainly help by holding the
door for someone in a wheelchair, or return a lost wallet. This video serves as
a reminder that we can all help change the world one simple service at a time.
It may be of some interest, however, to remind ourselves
that the audience that the filmmaker is addressing is most likely women who
grew into having somewhat substantial means of living and who may have a desire
to help improve today’s society. Why? Women are generally driven by emotions
while men are more driven by action. For example, if a woman approaches a man
about a problem occurring in her life, the man will try to fix the problem
rather than sympathizing like a female listener would. This video serves as an
inspirational video, focusing primarily on an emotion that most likely women
will respond to. Once a woman has confirmed the true meaning behind the movie,
they will seek out the men and encourage them to do something about it, thus
getting everyone involved and aware. If the female viewers have lived in a
poorer family as they were young, but grew into wealth, most likely they will
have a desire to help by making donations, or serving in the community in which
they grew up in. Perhaps this is why it was such a struggle for the daughter to
sell her father’s shop; she grew to love the people in the neighborhood in
which she served.
While many of us wish to help anyone in need, it is
impossible to help everyone we see. The video encourages us to help when we
can, where we can, and keep an eye out for the needs for others. We can achieve
great things if we all work together. The filmmaker exhorts us to consider
those around us and see if we can help them in any way, and then act upon it.
Because shopkeeper’s store was located in the slums of Thailand, he tried to
help those who did not have enough food by giving them a bowl of soup. At the
end of the video, the filmmaker states that, “Giving is the best
communication.” How true that is, if we can just give of our time to help
others, or give extra food to the food bank, we could be helping countless
people without realizing it. Those simple acts of kindness and service that are
often given without regard for rewards are overlooked, but these simple
services happen every day, and are more powerful and effective than we may
think.
The example the shopkeeper sets for his daughter is an
example that we should all follow. While watching this video, we are reminded
that we can make a difference in the world filled to the brim with hatred,
hunger wars, sickness and poverty. This video inspires us to be aware of the
needs of others and try to help wherever it is possible. The universal desire
to help those that are weak and sick is one that is primitive. No matter what
we do during the day, we can all spare time to help lift a heavy bag of dog
food into a trunk, or clean up spills that inevitably appear in on the floor of
the break room. Even the simplest of day to day activities can be an
opportunity to help those in need. This video of a simple man who cared enough
to give up his time and effort to help the poor and homeless serves as a
reminder to us all.
Works Cited
Bloomberg.
19 March 2014. 19 March 2014.
Chideya, Farai. "Forbes." 2 July 2012. 5,
10, 20 Years in the Past and Future. 19 March 2014.
Inspirational Video Everyone Should Live By. Perf. AmazingLife247. 2013. YouTube.
Populaion Reference Bureau. 19 March 2014. 19 March 2014.
