By Munaj Gul Baloch
I enjoy traveling; it’s a passion that still burns within me. The thrill of exploring mountains, rivers, forests, and historical places gives me immense pleasure. One particular memory stands out—the cloudy morning of 2017, when Hasnain and I embarked on a journey to our friend’s place in Dasht Kunchti, located in the district of Kech in Balochistan.
Our companionship was unique; we often found ourselves lost in thoughts, discussing social issues, the beauty of rain, clouds, and mountains. Nature mingled with our essence, and we couldn’t breathe without adventures. Traveling two or three places in a month became a part of our life, and our Sundays were always filled with stories, both blue and happy.
Our journeys left us with recollections, more potent than lessons, that lingered in our minds. What we saw, we will never forget; it’s ingrained in the subconscious.
Let me share the story of our journey to Dasht Kunchti, a trip that etched its beauty and meaning in our lives forever. Traveling a distance of two to three hours on a bumpy road was no easy feat, especially when the path was desolate with no shops and few fellow travelers, as was the case on the Jalbar road from Kolaho to Dasht.
When we started, the sky was cloudy, and a gentle breeze accompanied our ride. The beauty of the journey lay in the gratifying weather and the captivating mountain scenery. While crossing Jalbar, by a river between Dasht and Kolaho, we encountered a seventy-year-old man on the way to a waterfall. He seemed confused about the routs. Sensing his need for help, we offered him a ride on our bike.
Silence prevailed initially, as we were strangers. Names were exchanged, and the old man soon started talking, relishing our company. The conversation was both challenging and heartwarming. At some point, he thanked us and reiterated the need for kindness: ” Thank you for your help. I know you are students. Always be kind to other human beings, now and even after your graduation as you have been to me.” His message still resonates.
As we approached the waterfall, he urged us to stop, warning us of the impending rain. “Pass this river quickly; there is no alternative. When it rains, this river flows with much water for hours,” he said. And he disappeared into the mists of time.
In the six years that have passed, I’ve come to understand the need for kindness, especially given the current times. As they say, the hands that help others are holier than the lips that pray. The old man sought to convey that kindness is a universal language. It enriches the behaviour of souls, bringing joy to the giver and solace to the receiver.
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Munaj Gul Muhammad writes for different national newspapers and has won Agahi Award (Pakistan’s biggest Journalism Awards) in the category of Human Rights in 2018. He can be reached at munaj1baloch@gmail.com.
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