Reader’s Digest International — August 2017

14 | August• 2017

AHelperSteps

OutoftheCrowd

Amidst the commotion, I really needed assistance

KINDNESS OF STRANGERS

THIS INCIDENThappened back in June 2016. I was

travelling a short distance home in a three-wheeler

tuktuk, ironically, from Durdans Hospital in Colombo, Sri

Lanka, where I had gone for a routine check-up.

We hadn’t been on the road for more than ten minutes

when suddenly the driver lost control of the tuktuk and

it turned on its side. Mercifully, there were no other

vehicles passing by in close proximity.

A crowd quickly gathered, shouting and gesticulating,

as is common in this part of the world. The tuktuk was

righted by some of the bystanders, with me clinging to

the seat, injured and in pain. There was some damage

to the vehicle although the driver was unhurt.

Then a voice from the crowd shouted, “This lady is

injured and must be taken to hospital immediately!”

Another tuktuk driver approached me and with help from

others placed me in his own vehicle and drove me back to

the hospital.

Knowing that I was in pain, he did not try to speak to

me, but quickly and with great care delivered me to the

emergency unit of the hospital.

A teacher for

many years, Irani

Kannangara lives

in Sri Lanka. She

loves dogs and has

always had them

as pets. She also

does voluntary

work for the

YWCA and enjoys

gardening.

BY IRANI

KANNANGARA