Lost and Found

I was at a shopping Centre recently. I had a long list of things to buy for everyone. And I spent a lot of time at the store. Despite it being a weekday morning, the shopping Centre was buzzing with activity. I spent a significant amount of time browsing through the stores, picking out the perfect gifts for everyone on my list.

After filling up my cart with all the gifts for everyone, I headed to the billing counter to complete my purchase. UPI payments are quite common here and I went on to make the payment via my phone. I Left the store and just as I sat in the car, there was a nagging thought, that I had left behind something in the store. I looked for my wallet in the car, and I knew right then, that my wallet was missing. I knew I had it with me in the morning and it had to be inside the store.

I quickly made my way back in the store and went to one of the sections where I spent a lot of time, I asked the store assistants, if they noticed a wallet. They looked around for a bit and with a shoulder shrug they went on to assist the other shoppers.

In that moment, I mentally made a list of all the ID’s and other licenses, that I had to get made all over again. I had to travel back to the country I call home in a few days and instantly I regretted carrying my wallet to the store. I didn’t want to be going to all the offices and start paperwork and I wasn’t sure I would get it all in time before it was time for me to leave.

Almost certain that the store didn’t have a lost and found section, and half accepting the situation that I would have apply for all documents and ID’s, I walked to the billing section and asked them if they had a lost and found department. Yes, the lady behind the tiller announced and directed me towards the lost and found section.

In a couple of minutes, the staff at the lost and found department handed me my wallet, complete with all its contents. I was overjoyed and relieved that I didn't have to go through the hassle of replacing all my important documents.

This experience made me realize that there are still many honest and kind individuals who will go out of their way to return a lost item. It also taught me to be more mindful of my belongings while shopping and to double-check everything before leaving a store.

My experience at the mall taught me an important lesson about being mindful and grateful for the people around us. It also made me appreciate the importance of lost and found departments in stores and how they can be a source of relief for those who have lost something valuable.

Thank you for reading.

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