Nexus of Mankind I used to eat at a very famous eatery in Chittagong. One day a child, not more than 12 years old, was serving me. After finishing my food, I gave the boy Tk 10 tip. He thanked me. Next time, at the restaurant I ordered a burger. The boy stunned me saying that the burger had gone rotten. He advised me to opt for something else. He said, “You look like my elder brother. I will inform you when the food is rotten or fresh.” I thanked him. After that day, whenever I would go to the restaurant, I would ask for the food menu. We had certain code words amongst ourselves through which I would be informed of the fresh food. One day, I saw the same boy begging by the street. Utterly surprised I asked him what had happened. He said that the owner of the eatery had figured out our code words and beat up the boy for revealing information. After firing the boy, the child had nothing else to do but beg for food. I felt tears in my eyes. Even then, I gave a Tk 100 note to the boy and asked him to always stay honest and never to lose hope. Khalid-Bin-Mostafa (Robin) Management Studies Department University Of Chittagong Copyright (R) thedailystar.net 2007