Small Story 399.

Small Story 399 A Good Start to the Day Everyone in the group was a bit worried. Their friend Ram hadn’t shown up for the breakfast gathering they had all planned — even though he had confirmed he would come. Ten minutes later, Ram finally arrived, smiling warmly. “Sorry, friends!” he said. Everyone was happy to see him and welcomed him cheerfully. As they started walking together, Ram leaned in closer and whispered, “I got a call last night from Chennai. An old friend of mine had come to Bengaluru. He wanted to meet me before attending a wedding near my apartment. He said he’d come at exactly 6:40 a.m., and he did. We spent about 35 minutes catching up before he left.” Rajanna asked curiously, “What’s so special about this friend?” Ram replied, his voice full of emotion, “He retired a year ago. He’s a legend in his field — someone I deeply admire. But more than that, he’s been following my blog since 2008 and has always encouraged me. In fact, he’s the main reason I continued writing when I felt like giving up.” He paused for a moment, then added with a smile, “And today, my blog received over 400 average views — a small milestone, but it means a lot.” The group listened attentively as Ram continued, “I truly believe that even if a blogger has just one sincere reader who understands and appreciates their work, it’s equal to having thousands. Quality matters more than quantity.” Everyone nodded in agreement. Admiration and appreciation really do go a long way. With light hearts and growing appetites, they all headed to their favourite restaurant for a delicious breakfast. As the morning sun rose higher, Ram returned home with a smile. His day had started with the visit of a special friend — a loyal reader and a source of lifelong inspiration. What could be a better start to the day? K.Ragavan 15-10-25