Shillong: A local farmer was resting near a riverbank when he encountered a group of confused tourists. The visitors struggled with a map and argued over their path. They assumed the farmer lacked the language skills to assist them because of his rural background. One whispered, “Oh no, he probably won’t understand us. He’s from around here.”
The man played along. He used broken, simple language to guide them toward a homestay near the hills. Later that evening, the farmer arrived at the property to deliver firewood for a bonfire. The tourists were sipping tea outside. Sharlen emerged from the kitchen and confronted the group. She revealed that the man was actually the owner of the homestay and fluent in English.
The tourists apologized for their behavior. The farmer laughed off the incident. He maintained that the guests meant no harm despite their initial bias. Still, the event left him pondering how often people label others based on appearances alone. He continues to find joy in his farm, his village, and his life by the river.
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