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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir
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promises to his listeners. Here he found an opportunity. Addressing the man in the well, he said, "Be courageous and calm. Within a few days the Legislative Assembly will meet and I will place before the Assembly a resolution demanding that the government should build walls around wells in all the villages in India." The drowning man said, "I do not know when the resolution will be passed and when the walls will be built. Those walls at any rate will not save me from death." The leader said, "You are thinking of your own welfare. I have not come across a more selfish man than you. A true gentleman is he who thinks of the welfare of others. Only insects think of their own welfare. You are not an insect but a man." The drowning man said, "In that case, you be a true gentleman and help me to come out." The leader said, "I do not think of the welfare of one or two. I care for the welfare of all. 'Service to society is service to God' that is my motto. I think of the welfare of the common people and I always strive for their welfare." The drowning man said, "Let the welfare of the common people be achieved when it can be achieved but I am drowning and I am dying. Save me." The leader said, "The death or the welfare of a single individual is not at all important. Moreover if you die now, my task will be easy. I can tell the Assembly that a man died because of the government's neglect in not building walls around wells. Your example will add strength to my resolution and it will soon be passed and will become a law and you will become a martyr. This is a great opportunity for you. All the people of our country will garland your statue and will honour you. Even though you die, you will become immortal."
The man said, "I do not want to become immortal or famous. Kindly take me out and save my life."
But not caring to hear his words, the leader went away from there.
Next came a Christian father. On seeing him, the priest felt very happy. He put a rope into the well and the man came out climbing up with the help of the
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