One day, a young man with a hippie vibe, adorned with tattoos and a carefree demeanor, stepped into a metro. He found a seat next to an older gentleman who came from a different school of thought—one rooted in discipline and traditional philosophy. The older man, harboring preconceived notions, viewed such young individuals as irresponsible and disrespectful.

As the metro journey began, the young man noticed a box of chewing gum on the seat. Without a second thought, he took a piece, chewed it, and placed the box back on the seat. The older man, silently fuming, saw this act as confirmation of his biases.

As the older gentleman prepared to leave, he picked up the chewing gum box, intending to dispose of it properly. He felt a sense of righteous indignation, thinking he was teaching the young man a lesson in manners. However, upon reaching his destination and unpacking his suitcase, he discovered his own box of chewing gum inside. Realization dawned—he had taken the young man's gum.

This simple misunderstanding highlighted a profound lesson: our perceptions shape our reality. The older man had judged the young man based on appearances and assumptions, only to find himself mistaken. It reminded him that it's essential to look beyond surface impressions and keep an open mind.