SCENE one: After retirement we moved into a small house which provided  parking space for only one car. My Maruti 800 occupied that space. With the arrival of the second and expensive car of my son, the Maruti had to be parked outside the house. I would secure the vehicle with a steering lock at night, an act not pleasant to my friends who believed  that no one would take away a Maruti 800. During the thick of summer, the roof padding of the car would give way due to extreme heat, and I would look for a shady space to protect my vehicle from the cruelty of the sun.  After a short survey, an elegant amaltas tree was spotted across the road. The tree looks beautiful when it sheds its leaves and sways majestically in the spring breeze.One day, while I was parking the car,  a middle-aged lady gestured me to stop; possibly she had a message. I unrolled the windowpane to listen to her. “Veerji, don’t park the car here. The reflection of the sun annoys me in my house which is just across the road.” I was dumb-founded with the unusual sermon of the lady, and took a  few seconds before I could react. I thought a bit and folded my hands: “Sat bachan,” I replied, accepting her verdict. She walked away satisfied with the sense of achievement, contentment writ large on her face. My  sat bachan had avoided any conflict, even though I had  parked the car on government land Scene two: I was driving the Maruti in the congested motor market of Chandigarh to get the roof repaired. I was trying to locate the shop which I had visited on earlier occasions. I observed a young boy running behind my car, signalling me to stop. After negotiating my way, I managed to park the car and followed the boy to the shop. The owner, standing behind the counter, furiously remarked: “Sardar saheb, you have hit and damaged my scooter while driving in front of my shop!” I had the moral courage to accept my mistake and replied: “Sat bachan, my fault. Please get it repaired at my cost.” The shopkeeper,  who initially appeared aggressive  mellowed, possibly never expecting  such a reply. “Sir, it is ok,” he said.Driving back, I realised the power of sat bachan, and being humble. There were no arguments, no raising of voices, no fights, but everything ended on a pleasant note. The present young generation, which is all set to fight on trivial issues, needs to embrace humility, a quality which keeps oneself under control. It would prevent many road rage cases that occur often. Humility does not exhibit   weakness, but the strength of the individual.