The Moral Vision
The Virtues of Dependability
~ 178 ~
THE VIRTUES OF DEPENDABILITY
During a recent visit to Europe, Habib Bhai from
Hyderabad purchased a camera from a shop at
Lausanne in Switzerland, at a cost of about Indian
rupees 5000. Before long he realized he had made a
mistake. He could have bought it in Saudi Arabia
much cheaper—for about Rs. 3000, and he had been
planning to visit Saudi Arabia on his way back to
India. He decided to return the camera, but was at a
loss to know what he should say to the shopkeeper.
Still, he could not resist the idea of going to the
shop and trying his luck. He went up to the
saleswoman at the counter and asked her for a
refund on the camera. Much to his astonishment,
the lady did not even ask him why he wanted to
return it. All she asked was: “Do you want the
money in Indian or American currency?” She
handed him a slip to take over to another counter
where he would receive his money back. The
money was immediately refunded as if it made no
difference to the shopkeepers whether they had
money or goods.
