He, who does not thank for little will not thank for much. Estonian Proverb
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A few days ago, a friend of mine who had been mentoring a younger person for about 2 years, was snubbed by his mentee. He was not asked to attend a significant celebration hosted by his protégé.
Ignoring past favors is not nice. As a matter of fact, it is downright insensitive and discourteous.
A cashed favor is akin to a friendly loan. There is no deadline, but the favor should never be forgotten. Ignoring this basic principle makes you a welsher, a person never to be trusted again.
Trust is essential in a civilized society. You need to trust your bank, your cops, your judges, and above all your friends. By failing to acknowledge past favors, you will alienate people close to you and ruin many relationships.
When doing a good deed you should not expect a reward, but it does not mean that the Good Samaritan should be discarded like a Kleenex after use.
When I was younger, I remember reading a fable by Aesop called Androcles and the Lion. In short, Androcles, a runaway slave, helps a lion in distress. The lion doesn’t forget and later on spares his benefactor’s life.
It is a naïve little story but it conveys the right message. A favor freely granted (no matter how small or old) can yield surprising results.
Since I am a strong believer of Karma, I am convinced that “what goes around comes around.”
So, watch out you ungrateful SOB’s out there, Karma is watching.
“She is just sharpening her nails and finishing her drink. She says that she will be with you shortly.”
She will appear when you least expect it, and she won’t be smiling.
Alain
