When Greg Mortenson loses his way on his way home from his failed attempt at climbing K2, the people from the town of Korphe welcomed him with open arms. The children flocked him, the chief let him sleep in his home under the quilt from his wife's dowry, and honored him with a second cup of tea even though sugar was a rare and expensive luxury. He said they took him in with the hospitality that would be "unforgivable for any Balti not to display."
This made me think about how we treat people. We stereotype and judge people without knowing them. We shun those who are strangers to us, are quick to take offence, and withhold our forgiveness. Just think of how much better our lives would be if we treated everyone with this degree of warmth and hospitality.
If the people of Korphe are ready to give so much when they have so little we should be ashamed for not doing the same. We have indefinite more resources than they do and yet we would not think half so well of a stranger if he walked into our midst. I think it would do the world well if everyone was as good hearted as Korphe, who although they did not give much, they gave everything they had.
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