This a story of true friendship, and its the story of me and my best friend, No prize for guessing
Here comes the STORY...
Long back there was an old BICYCLE, which always wanted to look new, better and improved. But because of improper treatment in the past it was very raw and the signs of improvement were hardly expected. The BICYCLE traveled long distances to search his identity, to improve himself, and to be known to more and more people for his positives. He did few right things, few wrong things and always was going a step further. He went to mechanics, he went to see how other BICYCLEs are maintaining themselves and was improving every single day, till he reached a glass sealing level.
The race begins; there are cars, bikes, scooters, mopeds, latest BICYCLEs....
They all moved ahead, our old BICYCLE was lagging behind seeing here and there, how will he win the Race then? He does not have the right ingredients to win and compete against the big cars and bikes. What will happen to his dream then? Who will help him? He was confused and was unsure of his next step. He lost control and fell inside Mud. He was dirty, and tried to clear himself without asking anyone else for help. But he was not sure, if the backside was clear. He saw a MERCEDES near by and asked her, "Hey, is there any mud at my backside?" The reply was, "Don’t you know how to talk? Is this the question a BICYCLE asks a Car?" BICYCLE felt bad, as he did not know the fault for which he is not being accepted in this group. Next day the race began again, and BICYCLE lost it again. Third day, fourth day race after race he participated, lost and was demoralized. He was still the same honest, innocent, loyal BICYCLE but he suddenly realized that despite losing so many races he has been significantly improving his speed. He was happy. He wanted to race again; He participated, lost but was improving.
Suddenly one day he saw a Ladies Cycle, who was very sad and was standing lonely at a corner on the race track. BICYCLE offered her lift, she joined, and they raced happily in each others company. There was a meaning attached to it. They both liked it. One day while racing suddenly the lady jumped from the BICYCLE and joined a Car. The lady wanted to move ahead and win the race; the BICYCLE was used and thrown, His heart broken. Unable to adjust to the imbalance caused by the accident the BICYCLE fell on the road. Mopeds crushed him, scooters crushed him, bikes crushed him, and cars crushed him. The meaning was lost. He was crying alone, silently, without any noise, when the MERCEDES stopped and asked him, "What’s wrong? Why are you upset? Can I help you?"
The first step of friendship, positive interaction.
BICYCLE told MERCEDES his story, the story of struggle, the story of loses, the story of being ditched, the story of wanting to win the race. Most people either laughed at the stories, or found it very boring, but MERCEDES listened the entire stuff patiently and her attitude said that one day she will find a solution to BICYCLE's problems.
The second step of friendship, listening and providing solution rather than sympathizing.
Slowly BICYCLE and MERCEDES became friends. Sometimes MERCEDES will take BICYCLE along with her to race tracks and teach him various techniques. Sometimes when BICYCLE is down, MERCEDES will motivate him. If BICYCLE wins a small race MERCEDES will congratulate him and will further motivate him. In the company of MERCEDES, BICYCLE improved rapidly. But still a BICYCLE has its own limitations, what ever happens it can’t compete against those with engines. It was really difficult, but he never lost hope.
So far the story seems dominated by the BICYCLE. But the story was about the friendship of MERCEDES and BICYCLE. Then why BICYCLE is dominating the story? Why not MERCEDES?
That’s what the MERCEDES was!!! So important yet never dominating. She would quietly wait for an ordinary BICYCLE, to give him a lift, so that BICYCLE can understand what speed of a Car is, and prepare himself for the larger Race ahead. MERCEDES will teach BICYCLE at the time of practice tests, so that BICYCLE would not fail the tests. MERCEDES will be there for support when BICYCLE is down. MERCEDES will be there at the time race alongside BICYCLE, so that the BICYCLE does not feel lonely. But MERCEDES with an engine should be far ahead. How come she is driving at the speed of a BICYCLE? She sacrificed her chances to win the practice race by slowing down the speed, so that her friend is not lonely.
The third step of friendship, Sacrifice.
BICYCLE was slowly accepted in groups, because it had the company of someone as special and dignified as the MERCEDES around. The speed of the BICYCLE has dramatically improved. It was ready to take on anything. The final Race was coming closer. Everyone was preparing very well. BICYCLE was exited and nervous, MERCEDES knew it. And MERCEDES also knew with a BICYCLE it’s difficult to beat the bikes and cars in the real RACE. MERCEDES did not want her friend to lose. But what can she do? The race is very important; it defines the rest of life for BICYCLE. But what can the MERCEDES do? Mere motivation is not enough to win the race. So what to do?
MERCEDES thought, thought and thought. She also had a race for herself lined up. Two days after BICYCLE's race. There she had an idea; she decided to give her ENGINE to BICYCLE for the race day, so that BICYCLE can win. If BICYCLE would damage the engine, it will affect the chances of MERCEDES for her race too. But still MERCEDES gave it to him. BICYCLE took the engine, participated and won his race...
MERCEDES did managed to win her race also, and in the process she uplifted her friend BICYCLE from one level to another.
The fourth step of friendship, Uplift.
They were very happy...
Seasons changed, reasons changed but the friendship never changed, because it was not for a reason or season but for lifetime.
Thy both were parts of different races, on different tracks, but still whenever BICYCLEs needed he found MERCEDES around, she was always there, to support, to encourage, motivating and sometimes justing to LISTEN (The most important one).
Fifth step of friendship, Be there for your friend always...
Today just out of blue, BICYCLE thought if these are the steps of friendship, then MERCEDES has been a true friend to the BICYCLE. But what about BICYCLE, have he ever followed any of the steps…
Positive interaction- Hardly (As BICYCLE was always busy creeping about his problems rather than initiating a positive interaction)
Listening- Never (The one who always speaks, how will he ever listen)
Sacrifice- Not applicable (Bhakt sudama, bhagwan krishna ke liye kya sacrifice de sakta hai bhala)
Uplift- Out of syllabus (the one who always took the lift, when will he get the time to uplift)
So BICYCLE decided to follow the fifth step with five times more passion, energy and involvement.
Being there always- YES, YES, YES, YES, YES (five times)
And what about the Race? its still on. Every day running around, moving ahead, setbacks, comebacks, stepping stones, mile stones... He is still racing ahead, when he loses energy, hope or faith, he gets up immediately says to him
The race is not yet over, because I have not yet won it.
He still prays silently to god, if he ever gets a chance to meet MERCEDES on a race track. How happy she would be to see BICYCLE winning. May be they will race together on the same track again, but they are friends, Can not compete. They can definitely be coaches. Where BICYCLE with the help of MERCEDES will motivate and transform lots ordinary, ugly, demotivated BICYCLEs to the next step.
"The Race is finally over, because we have just now won it."
End of the story
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