This Sunday I did something stupid.
I’m 16 and have no license.
I still took my moms bike to Juhu beach just to have fun.
As soon as I reached there, a traffic police officer saw me, raised his hands and said:
“SIDE.”
My heart started pumping faster than a man running on a treadmill.
In 5 seconds, my brain wrote 10 lies.
Should I say I forgot my license?
Should I act confused?
Say my friend just got hospitalized? 😂
Instead I told the truth:
(In my most regretful voice)
“Sir, I don't have a licence nor am I old enough to ride a bike.
I know I have done a big mistake and a crime according to Indian law.
But I promise you it won't happen again.”
Luckily, he was kind.
He gave me a warning and let me go.
That fine could’ve been ₹35,000.
Honesty saved me.
Because transparency builds credibility.
You know the story of the shepherd boy?
Just to have fun he lied to the villagers about a fox killing his sheep.
He kept doing that prank until one day it really happened.
A fox came and ate all his sheep.
He called for help but everyone ignored him even when he was telling the truth.
because the villagers lost trust in his words.
And this applies to you.
If you’re creating content…
If you’re selling something…
If you’re building a name…
Just be honest.
Sure some people may hate your honesty.
But it filters the right ones.
“Make yourself an honest man then you may be sure there is one rascal less in the world.”
— Thomas Carlyle.
Your friend,
Zaid.
P.S. To be honest I know you will make it one day {{first_name}} ;)