Small Story 108 The Junction of Friendship.

Small Story 108 TheJunction of Friendship Ram used to cross a particular junction where nearly 12 people gathered and talked. He observed this during the Corona period, and one day, he wished them well. Immediately, one of the people greeted him and invited him to join. After a formal introduction, Ram was introduced to the group. What he learned next thrilled him and made him admire the group even more. For more than two and a half decades, they had been meeting at the same place every day between 7 and 8 am, refreshing themselves with tea, coffee, and biscuits for one hour. The group consisted of people from different walks of life. Their commitment to meeting regularly was truly amazing, and they set a great example for others. Ram became friends with the group, particularly with a senior member named Narayanan Interestingly, the names of all the group members were also names of famous gods, which attracted Ram even more to the group. Every day, he gained new experiences and insights, which made him very happy. The hospitality shown by his friends—especially when they personally brought tea from the nearby café—was unforgettable. They often discussed various topics, and Ram admired their simplicity and the respect they showed for each other. Though many of the group members had their families living abroad, they maintained a strong sense of community. If Ram missed a day, the group would always ask about him the next day, showing how much they valued each other. Despite their age, the group members were young at heart, full of energy and talents. Ram deeply appreciated this. After joining the group, he was amazed to realize that he had been meeting with them for 48months. He understood that staying active and surrounded by good company was the key to a fulfilling life at any age. Ram whispered to himself, "I am very lucky to have joined this group K.Ragavan 28-12-24