Shri Sathya Sai Baba Bal Vikas Children’s Corner

by Devotional India Team
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Children's Corner An Act of LoveDear Children,This is a story of a cab driver in his own words.Twenty years ago, I drove a cab for a living. One time I arrived in the middle of the night for a pick up at a building that was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window.Under these circumstances, many...

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Shri Sathya Sai Baba Bal Vikas Children’s Corner – Divine Wisdom For Positive Learning

Children’s Corner

An Act of Love

Dear Children,
This is a story of a cab driver in his own words.

Twenty years ago, I drove a cab for a living. One time I arrived in the middle of the night for a pick up at a building that was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window.Under these circumstances, many drivers would just honk once or twice, wait a minute, and then drive away. But I had seen too many impoverished people who depended on taxis as their only means of transportation. Unless a situation smelled of danger, I always went to the door. This passenger might be someone who needs my assistance, I reasoned to myself. So I walked to the door and knocked.

“Just a minute,” answered a frail, elderly voice.

I could hear something being dragged across the floor. After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 80?s stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie. By her side was a small nylon suitcase.The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, any knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.

“Would you carry my bag out to the car?” she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, and then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness.

“It’s nothing,” I told her. “I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated.”

“Oh, you’re such a good boy,” she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, and then asked, “Could you drive through downtown?”

“It’s not the shortest way,” I answered quickly.

“Oh, I don’t mind,” she said. “I’m in no hurry. I’m on my way to a hospice.”

I looked in the rear view mirror. Her eyes were glistening.

“I don’t have any family left,” she continued. “The doctor says I don’t have very long.”

I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. “What route would you like me to take?” I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighbourhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.Sometimes she’d ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, “I’m tired. Let’s go now.”We drove in silence to the address she had given me.

It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her. I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

“How much do I owe you?” she asked, reaching into her purse.

“Nothing,” I said.

“You have to make a living,” she answered.

“There are other passengers.”

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.

“You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,” she said. “Thank you.”

I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.I didn’t pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly, lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away? On a quick review, I don’t think that I have done anything more important in my life. We’re conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

Shri Sathya Sai Baba Bal Vikas Children’s Corner – Divine Wisdom For Positive Learning

Shri Sathya Sai Baba Bal Vikas Children’s Corner is a sacred space of learning where children can grow with love, values, discipline, devotion, and good character. Childhood is the most important stage of life because the thoughts, habits, and values planted during this time shape the future personality. When children receive spiritual and moral guidance early, they grow into kind, confident, and responsible human beings.

Shri Sathya Sai Baba Bal Vikas Children’s Corner reminds us that education is not only about books, marks, exams, or success in career. True education must also touch the heart. A child should learn honesty, respect, patience, gratitude, compassion, and self-control along with worldly knowledge. When the mind becomes sharp and the heart becomes pure, education becomes complete.

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Bal Vikas means the blossoming of the child. Just as a flower needs sunlight, water, and care, a child needs love, discipline, good examples, and noble thoughts. Children naturally learn from what they see around them. If they see truth, prayer, service, kindness, and humility in daily life, these qualities enter their hearts quietly and deeply.

Shri Sathya Sai Baba Bal Vikas Children’s Corner teaches that values should be taught in a simple and joyful way. Stories, prayers, bhajans, moral activities, group discussions, and acts of service can help children understand goodness naturally. Children should not feel spirituality as a burden. They should feel it as love, peace, joy, and inner strength.

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The five human values taught by Bhagwan Shri Sathya Sai Baba are truth, right conduct, peace, love, and non-violence. These values are the foundation of a noble life. Truth gives courage. Right conduct gives discipline. Peace gives balance. Love gives sweetness. Non-violence gives compassion. When children practice these values, their character becomes strong.

Shri Sathya Sai Baba Bal Vikas Children’s Corner also inspires children to respect parents, teachers, elders, nature, and all living beings. Respect is not fear; it is understanding the value of others. A respectful child speaks gently, listens carefully, and behaves with humility. Such a child becomes a source of happiness at home, school, and society.

Read Also: Shri Sathya Sai Baba Concepts of Bal Vikas Life Is A Challenge Meet It

Prayer and bhajan have a special place in children’s spiritual growth. Singing the divine name calms the mind and fills the heart with devotion. A child who learns to pray sincerely also learns gratitude and trust. Prayer gives courage during fear, peace during confusion, and strength during difficulty. It teaches children that God is always near.

Shri Sathya Sai Baba Bal Vikas Children’s Corner should also encourage service. Children must understand that life is not only about receiving, achieving, and enjoying. It is also about giving, sharing, and helping. Small actions like helping a classmate, respecting workers, feeding birds, caring for plants, or speaking kindly to someone sad can awaken compassion.

Read Also: Shri Sathya Sai Baba Past Students September 2011

Good habits are also part of spiritual education. Waking on time, keeping things clean, speaking truth, completing duties, avoiding anger, and using time wisely help children become disciplined. Discipline should not be taught through fear alone. It should be taught with love and explanation so that children understand its value.

Shri Sathya Sai Baba Bal Vikas Children’s Corner reminds us that children are not empty vessels to be filled with information. They are divine seeds to be lovingly nurtured. Each child has unique talents, feelings, and inner beauty. Parents and teachers should guide them with patience, not constant comparison. Comparison can create fear and jealousy, but encouragement builds confidence.

Moral stories are powerful tools for children. Stories of saints, noble leaders, devotees, and great souls teach values in a way that young hearts can understand. A good story can stay in the mind for life and guide a child during difficult moments. Through stories, children learn courage, sacrifice, truthfulness, and devotion.

The role of parents and teachers is very important. Children follow examples more than instructions. If adults speak harshly but teach kindness, children become confused. If adults live with honesty, patience, prayer, and service, children naturally learn. The best lesson is a good example.

Shri Sathya Sai Baba Bal Vikas Children’s Corner finally teaches that every child carries divine potential. The aim is not only to create successful students, but good human beings. A child with a loving heart, truthful speech, disciplined habits, and service-minded nature becomes a blessing to the world.

When children grow with values, the future becomes brighter. Families become peaceful, schools become noble, society becomes compassionate, and the world moves closer to unity. By guiding children with love, devotion, discipline, and human values, we build not only strong personalities, but also a sacred future filled with divine grace.

Shri Sathya Sai Baba Bal Vikas Gurus Corner

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Devotional India Team

Devotional India is an international devotional website focused on Hindu temples, saints, spiritual teachings, mantras, and scriptures. We aim to make ancient Sanatan wisdom accessible to modern readers through authentic, informative, and spiritually enriching content.

Bal Vikas - The Divine Foundation