Child Have You Eaten? | Story of Loving Kindness Despite Our Differences by Fathima Meer| Inspiring Story #99 -

Child Have You Eaten? | Story of Loving Kindness Despite Our Differences by Fathima Meer| Inspiring Story #99

Story of Loving Kindness Despite Our Differences


When Fathima, a Muslim from South Africa,  travels to India, she fears how she'll be received in an area with supposed Muslim-Hindu tensions.  

What she discovers in reality surprises her, and something as simple as a stranger knocking on her door leads to a realization that will change her perspective forever...

"Child, have you eaten?"  These words will live with me forever when I think of my time in India.  The words remind me of my grandmother's love for the warm people of her Homeland.

I arrived in India wary of the โ€˜kindโ€™ intentions of strangers.  I feared my Muslim identity could prove a problem in a country where Muslim-Hindu tensions have supposedly been ongoing since 1947 - when Indiaโ€™s partition gave birth to Pakistan.

It was not until I reached the rural villages or ghams that I finally relaxed.  Here, stories from my childhood; those fairy tales of sister-brotherhood my grandmother conjured up, showed up in reality...

Firstly, when my husband's Hindu friendโ€™s parents offered us their home in the village of Navsari at no charge.   I was incredulous. Their generosity and loving kindness overwhelmed me.  It brought me to tears. Even oneโ€™s close family are reluctant to part with the keys to their home these days.

They also provided their driver, Deepak, and housekeeper, Jamna masi (aunt), with whom we negotiated a fee.  That was our first taste of Indian hospitality my Gran spoke of.

But then, the care and loving kindness shown to us by our neighbor in Navsari was unparalleled. I recall our last night in Navsari with great fondness.

We had just returned from visiting family in a faraway village when there was a knock on the back door.  Startled, I approached the door with the caution of a city dweller to find our elderly neighbor with our folded laundry in her hands on the threshold.  Jamna masi had told her we were out visiting and asked her to look after the washing on the line.

"there was a knock on the back door.  Startled, I approached the door with the caution of a city dweller ..."

The kind soul handed me the neatly folded laundry and asked if we had eaten.  I assured her that our family in Surat had fed us. She was delighted to hear this.

This stranger was genuinely sad to hear of my Granny's near and dear ones' passing away, but she was ecstatic to hear that I had exchanged phone numbers with their children with a promise to keep in touch.  She embraced me lovingly and, with tears in her eyes, wished us well on our trip home the next day.

Today, when I look at the news and hear about the hatred being stirred up between the Hindus and the Muslims, I realize that doesnโ€™t represent most peopleโ€™s views.

I think of the old Hindu woman that took a South African Muslim family under her wing, just like my granny would have. I refuse to believe that peopleโ€™s inherent goodness in Indiaโ€™s villages would change based on their religion.  

Instead, I prefer to dream of the wonderful Indian hospitality, loving kindness and sense of community that I experienced, and my Grandmother cherished.



Meet Fathima S Meer

Fathima S Meer is a ghostwriter, blogger, editor, proofreader, and a full-time mum to four delightful daughters with a passion for life, travel, and politics.

Follow Fathima's work on her Facebook Page here:
https://www.facebook.com/FathimaWaxwordz

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Share the Inspiration
  • JENNIEVI DUNQUE says:

    “Child Have You Eaten?”.. To be humane is to be kind enough regardless of race, religion, gender and socio-economic status. Life is so beautiful if we only know how to value people. Respect and kindness are the essence of peace.

  • Nishtha says:

    This is beautiful! Being a Hindu brought up in India ( in US after marriage) I have had great relationships with Muslim as well as Christian friends. I fondly think of my upbringing there

  • I love reading these stories of true human compassion and connection, thank you again sharing them on your blog.

  • This is beautiful story that paints a picture of how the world should be, we need more people like your granny for sure!

  • Smiley says:

    Beautiful, often politic is so different from how majority people feel…

  • Barb Geiger says:

    What a beautiful story of kindness, Fathima. Thank you for sharing your story to help inspire all of us!

  • Digitaldaybook says:

    I know itโ€™s easier said than done but never fear for who you are! Thank you for sharing a piece of yourself with us

  • Shar says:

    Kindness and respect go far beyond anything else. There are no differences, or differences don’t matter.


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