"Help the Living Before They Die"

There once lived a man named Aslam. He was not rich, not powerful, and not famous. He was a man of simplicity, a man whose heart was filled with honesty and kindness.

Aslam lived a very modest life. During the day, he worked in the vegetable market, lifting heavy baskets, arranging fresh vegetables, and selling them for a small wage. In the evenings, he spent his time teaching little children, guiding them with patience and love.

To most people, Aslam was just another ordinary man they saw in the streets. They only knew that he sold vegetables and sometimes taught kids. But in truth, behind that simple life was a man who was sincere, honest, and free of greed. He never interfered in other people’s matters, never cheated, and never harmed anyone.

He lived quietly, asking for nothing more than the chance to earn enough to survive. But life, as it often does, tested him in the harshest way possible.


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The Rent That Became a Burden

Aslam lived in a small rented house. It was not big, not luxurious—just a shelter where he could sleep after a long day’s work. But one day, his landlord came to him angrily and said:

“Aslam, you have not paid rent for two months. If you don’t give me the full rent by tomorrow, I will throw you out of this house!”

The rent was only 200 rupees, but for Aslam, it felt like a mountain. He only had 100 rupees in his pocket. He thought to himself:

“If only someone could lend me another 100 rupees, I could save my home.”

With hope in his heart, he went to people in his village.


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A Journey for Help

First, he went to Jalal, the shopkeeper. He said humbly:

“Brother Jalal, I am in great difficulty. I need 100 rupees to pay my rent. Can you help me?”

But Jalal shook his head and said:
“I am sorry, Aslam. Business is not good. I cannot help you.”

Aslam felt a little disappointed but did not give up.

He then went to Bilal, the sweet-seller, who sold delicious jalebis and laddus in the market. With folded hands, he pleaded:

“Bilal bhai, I need just 100 rupees. If I cannot pay my rent, my landlord will throw me out. Can you help me?”

But Bilal too refused. He said:
“I wish I could, Aslam, but I have many expenses myself.”

Finally, Aslam decided to go to Khanzaib, the chief of the village. Surely, the chief—a man of wealth and power—would help him.

Aslam explained his situation, his voice filled with desperation:
“Sardar Khanzaib, I am in great trouble. Please lend me 100 rupees so I can pay my rent and save my home.”

But Khanzaib, too, shook his head with indifference:
“Aslam, I cannot help you. Go find another way.”


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Thrown Out Into the Cold

With no one to help him, Aslam returned home empty-handed. The next morning, the landlord came and, without mercy, threw all of Aslam’s belongings out of the house.

The winter air was cruel and biting. Aslam had nowhere to go. He picked up what little he had and sat down near an electric transformer at the edge of the street.

The wind was icy, the night was long, and his body was weak. He shivered as the cold pierced through his thin clothes.


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Ignored by Everyone

Aslam sat there, trembling and helpless. People passed by. Some glanced at him, some even whispered:

“Look, Aslam is sitting in the cold.”

But not one person stopped to offer him shelter, a blanket, or even a few rupees.

Day turned into night, and night turned into day. For two days, Aslam struggled against the merciless cold. His body grew weaker, his breath slower. And then—his heart gave up.

Aslam had died.


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When Death Opened Their Eyes

The next morning, the news spread quickly:
“Aslam is dead.”

Suddenly, the very people who had refused him while he was alive came forward with money for his funeral.

Jalal, the shopkeeper, who had refused to give 100 rupees earlier, now gave 150 rupees for the shroud and burial.

Bilal, the sweet-seller, who could not spare 100 rupees to save Aslam’s home, now gave 100 rupees for tea at the funeral.

Khanzaib, the chief, who had turned him away coldly, now gave 300 rupees for food and arrangements.


In total, 550 rupees were collected for Aslam’s funeral—far more than the 100 rupees he had needed to stay alive.


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A Bitter Truth About Life

Aslam’s story leaves behind a painful truth. While he lived, people ignored him. They had money, they had power, but they lacked compassion.

When he died, they opened their pockets and gave money freely. But what use was that? What good is generosity to the dead when you could not show kindness to the living?


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The Lesson We Must Learn

This story is not just about Aslam. It is about all of us.

👉 Too often, we fail to see the struggles of people around us.
👉 Too often, we say “I cannot help right now” when a small act of kindness could save someone’s life.
👉 Too often, we only realize the value of a person when they are gone forever.

We cry at funerals. We spend money on flowers, food, and rituals. But while the person was alive, we could not give them a small piece of bread, a warm blanket, or a little financial help.


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Aslam did not die because of poverty alone—he died because of society’s coldness.

If even one person had shown him mercy, if even one heart had softened, his life could have been saved. But no one did.

So let this story be a reminder to us all:

💚 Value people while they are alive.
💚 Show kindness before it is too late.
💚 A little help today can save a life tomorrow.

Because once a person is gone, no amount of money, no amount of tears, and no amount of regret can bring them back.