The Jeni a.k.a Janitor

We learn about sharing continuously and from any source. An old janitor who I am sure would love to keep any money she has showed me that what I have been believing so far as the relation of money and willingness to share is somewhat true. I believe that 'being rich does not mean that one is willing to share and being poor does not mean that one can forget how a happiness shared is twice the happiness.'

Last Saturday, I held a small party in my office. It is customary for me to give extra cash for the jeni who does the cleaning. I did the same ritual that night. I added an extra, knowing that she'd helped me from the moment I asked her to carry all my stuff to the 3rd and 4th floor to the time when she had to do all the dishes and clean the tables. Clean room is extremely important because we have a small zoo during the night (those rats... ARGH!). Besides, she must have gone home much later than her normal time. So I didn't have to think twice when I gave her fifty thousand rupiah before I went home. She said thanks (she didn't know how much I gave her. I was glad that I gave her that.

This morning, she thanked me again. She told me that she had left the money in her uniform pocket. At first, I screamed, thinking she'd probably lost the money. But she said that she'd found the money. She told me that she'd gone home at 8 when she was supposed to be home before 7. (Had I known she'd finished everything so late, I would have thought of someone else to clean up. She's old, you see.... ). I told her that she could have used the money to take a taxi. But this is the rest of the conversation ...

Taxi? No,no, Daffodil. I could use the money for something else....

Yeah, bu. But if you were worried about going home, you could have used that money, you know....

I know... But you know what? I gave Mr S fifteen thousand rupiah and Mr K five thousand rupiah. They had helped me a lot so I think they deserved a small share. Is it OK with you?

I found it hard to breathe for a while. My eyes almost became red. In my mind, my brain counted and counted the salary she has per hour. No more than four thousand rupiah per hour! But she shared what was rightfully hers! Overwhelmed with emotions, I felt that I could have hugged her. Instead, I just said ....

Well, I know you gave the money because they've helped you. That's definitely OK. Thanks again ya, bu.

To avoid others' stare, I quickly ran away from her and 'hide' in my chamber.

My heart smiled that day because I know that this world hasn't lost hope of having nice people. There are plenty of them!!! Nice people who set a small room in their hearts to remember others in good and bad times..... Hope God bless them all....