I read this this morning and thought it was worth sharing:
The Ticket
by Tony Keyes
Japan
Towards the end of July 2004, Japan's west coast was beset by another
typhoon, the latest in a record-breaking series to hit the mainland. The
news featured typhoon rains for days. Large areas in Niigata and Fukui
prefectures (states) were devastated. My wife's in-laws are from that
area; we were relieved they escaped real damage. Luckily, they lived on
high ground. Others not so lucky were missing; at least three people
were dead.
The TV showed roads washed away, bridges collapsed, houses half-buried
in mud and flotsam, cars washed away by the floodwaters' force. It
showed images of people on rooftops escaping floods below, waiting to be
rescued, waving and calling for help to helicopters filming them.
Thousands were evacuated until the floodwaters receded.
Despite the grim coverage, only days later did a report finally bring
tears to my eyes. Somebody sent a letter to the Fukui disaster
management center, addressed to the prefecture Governor. They expressed
condolences to those who had suffered loss, and offered assistance in
the form of a lottery ticket. They apologized for sending the ticket
without cashing it, and for not delivering it in person, as they wished
to remain anonymous.
The prefectural government found that while the return address on the
letter was invented, the ticket was real. It was a ticket for the
nationwide "TAKARAKUJI" lottery held a month previously. Not just any
ticket -- the winning, top prize ticket of 200 million yen (US$1.8
million).
After the taped news report, the announcer wondered aloud what kind of
person would do such a thing. This person had held this winning ticket
over a month, probably planning all the ways they would enjoy their
newfound wealth. Probably they wondered how to invest it, how much to
splurge, what luxuries to buy first, whether they could quit their job,
how their life would change in so many ways.
Yet this person, who received a once-in-a-lifetime stroke of good luck,
chose to let it go. They realized that others needed that good luck more
than they did. It was a person selfless enough to give it all, rather
than give a portion and retain most. Someone humble enough to apologize
for not delivering the money in person, and for troubling the
prefectural government to cash the ticket. Someone wise enough to
realize that helping others may be a bigger prize than lottery winnings.
At a press conference, the Governor of Fukui promised the money would be
divided among the families whose homes were lost or damaged. He said he
wished he could meet the donor directly, and thank them face to face.
Expressing thanks is an important Japanese social responsibility.
Yet the donor's choices created a gift within a gift. Each person helped
by the donor may now wonder of everyone they meet: Is this the one who
was selfless, wise and humble enough to give up their lottery ticket to
help us in our time of need? Is this who I should thank?
The Ticket
by Tony Keyes
Japan
Towards the end of July 2004, Japan's west coast was beset by another
typhoon, the latest in a record-breaking series to hit the mainland. The
news featured typhoon rains for days. Large areas in Niigata and Fukui
prefectures (states) were devastated. My wife's in-laws are from that
area; we were relieved they escaped real damage. Luckily, they lived on
high ground. Others not so lucky were missing; at least three people
were dead.
The TV showed roads washed away, bridges collapsed, houses half-buried
in mud and flotsam, cars washed away by the floodwaters' force. It
showed images of people on rooftops escaping floods below, waiting to be
rescued, waving and calling for help to helicopters filming them.
Thousands were evacuated until the floodwaters receded.
Despite the grim coverage, only days later did a report finally bring
tears to my eyes. Somebody sent a letter to the Fukui disaster
management center, addressed to the prefecture Governor. They expressed
condolences to those who had suffered loss, and offered assistance in
the form of a lottery ticket. They apologized for sending the ticket
without cashing it, and for not delivering it in person, as they wished
to remain anonymous.
The prefectural government found that while the return address on the
letter was invented, the ticket was real. It was a ticket for the
nationwide "TAKARAKUJI" lottery held a month previously. Not just any
ticket -- the winning, top prize ticket of 200 million yen (US$1.8
million).
After the taped news report, the announcer wondered aloud what kind of
person would do such a thing. This person had held this winning ticket
over a month, probably planning all the ways they would enjoy their
newfound wealth. Probably they wondered how to invest it, how much to
splurge, what luxuries to buy first, whether they could quit their job,
how their life would change in so many ways.
Yet this person, who received a once-in-a-lifetime stroke of good luck,
chose to let it go. They realized that others needed that good luck more
than they did. It was a person selfless enough to give it all, rather
than give a portion and retain most. Someone humble enough to apologize
for not delivering the money in person, and for troubling the
prefectural government to cash the ticket. Someone wise enough to
realize that helping others may be a bigger prize than lottery winnings.
At a press conference, the Governor of Fukui promised the money would be
divided among the families whose homes were lost or damaged. He said he
wished he could meet the donor directly, and thank them face to face.
Expressing thanks is an important Japanese social responsibility.
Yet the donor's choices created a gift within a gift. Each person helped
by the donor may now wonder of everyone they meet: Is this the one who
was selfless, wise and humble enough to give up their lottery ticket to
help us in our time of need? Is this who I should thank?
