I've always been of the opinion that the need to cross check on anyone's information was unnecessary. It's because of my firm belief that the information collector would have validated the authenticity of the source, the content of the information and ensured that there was no room for even an iota of ambiguity! Alas, this morning's experience has proved me otherwise.
Lekha's brother and family had been with us for the past couple of days and they're slated to go on their return trip by this morning's train. All along, I was under the impression that this particular train took off from here at 0600h everyday. When Lekha'd queried her brother as to whether there was a need to cross check, his wife had categorically stated that she'd checked at the counter - at the time of departure - and ascertained that the scheduled time was 0700h. The matter was, therefore, accepted as gospel and forgotten about till this morning.
After their morning chores and with the last minute rounds of, "When will we see you next?' '' By the next summer hols for sure and during that time we shall endeavour to stay for a longer while", they're ready to leave. I'd chauffeured them to the Railway Station and they'd proceeded to get their tickets from the counter. The train's destination was their's too and they'd confirmed that it was their train that was indeed standing on platform no.1 and without much ado, I'd taken off for home as I generally hate long drawn out goodbyes!
An hour later, Lekha'd rung her brother up to confirm as to whether everything was going as per schedule when she was told the following:-
(a) their train had actually left the station at 6 AM at its scheduled time.
(b) the train that they'd seen standing at platform no.1 was another one which would drop them two hours
from then, at a junction, from where they'd have to board a connecting train and their arrival back at
their destination was gonna be correspondingly delayed!
Tailpiece.
I'm now convinced that a cross check of another's information would be a prudent action after all. It avoids anxiety, mix ups and associated difficulties to all the concerned parties! Yet another lesson in the journey of life!!
Lekha's brother and family had been with us for the past couple of days and they're slated to go on their return trip by this morning's train. All along, I was under the impression that this particular train took off from here at 0600h everyday. When Lekha'd queried her brother as to whether there was a need to cross check, his wife had categorically stated that she'd checked at the counter - at the time of departure - and ascertained that the scheduled time was 0700h. The matter was, therefore, accepted as gospel and forgotten about till this morning.
After their morning chores and with the last minute rounds of, "When will we see you next?' '' By the next summer hols for sure and during that time we shall endeavour to stay for a longer while", they're ready to leave. I'd chauffeured them to the Railway Station and they'd proceeded to get their tickets from the counter. The train's destination was their's too and they'd confirmed that it was their train that was indeed standing on platform no.1 and without much ado, I'd taken off for home as I generally hate long drawn out goodbyes!
An hour later, Lekha'd rung her brother up to confirm as to whether everything was going as per schedule when she was told the following:-
(a) their train had actually left the station at 6 AM at its scheduled time.
(b) the train that they'd seen standing at platform no.1 was another one which would drop them two hours
from then, at a junction, from where they'd have to board a connecting train and their arrival back at
their destination was gonna be correspondingly delayed!
Tailpiece.
I'm now convinced that a cross check of another's information would be a prudent action after all. It avoids anxiety, mix ups and associated difficulties to all the concerned parties! Yet another lesson in the journey of life!!
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