Helped By A Knight On A Shiny Bike

Posted Feb 9, 2006 by Vidisha Priyanka

Updated Feb 9, 2006 at 10:54 AM

I have been a little lax in exposing Bay area’s underbelly lately. I have been a little preoccupied with my karma. I feel I should change my name to Earl.

I blew a tire a few days back, on way home, and had to pull over the side of the USF golf course. I had my 11-year-old nephew with me, who despite being hungry and tired after a long day at school and after care, started to help.

I have never actually changed a tire in my life. I know how to, in theory, and have watched my father several times replace them on his car. He taught me one important thing though - always loosen the bolts on the tire before heaving the car up on a jack.

And although my memory doesn’t seem to be in top order, despite Sudoku puzzles and brain boosters, I remembered that.

I didn’t expect anyone to stop to help me, what with life in a country that supports independent living, DIYs and AAA.

But I was pleasantly surprised when a lady stopped to ask me if I needed help. I thanked her and said I was alright and she left.

Then two little boys on bikes stopped by and asked me if they could help. By that time, we were clueless how to turn the jack to raise the level of the car. So it was with gratitude and a sigh of relief that I handed the tire iron to the boys.

One of the boys had helped his father change many a tires and seemed to know what he was talking about. He changed the tire in minutes flat. I wish him a long and successful career on the race tracks and a degree from MIT.

Two other people stopped by to help me, but that little boy from Turkey (I was so grateful, I forgot to ask his name) had everything under control.

He must have been slightly embarrassed by my gushing thanks.

But I was reminded of another time when complete strangers had helped me for three days during a religious riot in my county.

So I thank that boy from Turkey, who stopped to help me on the roadside, to change a tire.

It is a sad fact that after I had told my nephew how he, too, must help someone in distress, if he can; I also gently reminded him of the dangers of stopping by a stranger next to a car, on a lonely stretch of road, especially if he is by himself.

It is a pity that we live in such times, where we curb our natural instincts and fret about helping someone.