KINDNESS

When Annie was brought in the Tewksbury Institute, nobody could do anything with her. Doctors found it difficult to even examine her. She was locked up in a cage. A hospital maid felt sorry for her and baked her some brownies. She walked cautiously to her cage and said, ‘Annie, I baked these brownies just for you.’ Then she ran behind a pillar… afraid Annie might throw them at her. However, Annie ate the brownies.

From that day, they started to be friends… she even got Annie laughing. One of the nurses noticed and told the doctor. They asked her to help them with Annie. This is how they discovered that Annie was almost blind. A year later, the Perkins Institute for the Blind opened its doors. Annie went on to become a teacher of the visually disadvantaged.

When Annie came back to Tewksbury, the Director showed her a letter written by a man about his daughter. She was unruly… almost like an animal. She was blind, deaf and ‘deranged.’ He was at his wit’s end, but he did not want to put her in an asylum. He wanted a teacher who would come to his house and work with his daughter. Annie Sullivan became Helen Keller’s ‘miracle worker’ and lifelong companion.

When Helen was once felicitated, she declared that Annie Sullivan had the greatest impact on her life. However, Annie disagreed. The woman who had the greatest influence on both their lives was a floor maid at Tewksbury. History was changed as one person took initiative triggered by the sentiment of kindness. The sentiment does rise in most hearts, but the situation transforms to be better only when thought leads to aligned action.

Let’s BE BETTER at acting upon thoughtfulness...

History is re-scripted by deeds of kindness!

- Pravin K. Sabnis