This story happened when Gandhiji was practicing law in the city of Johannesburg in South Africa. His office was three miles from his 1.
One day a colleague of his, Mr Polak, asked Gandhiji's thirteen-year-old son, Manilal to fetch a book from the office. But Manilal 2 forgot till Mr Polak 3 him that evening. Gandhiji heard about it and 4 Manilal. He said, "Son, I know the night is dark and the way is long and lonely. You will have to 5 nearly six miles but you gave your 6 to Mr Polak. You promised to fetch his book. Go and fetch it now. "
The family were 7 when they heard of Gandhiji's 8. The punishment seemed too 9. Manilal was only a child, the night was dark and the way was lonely. He had only forgotten a book 10. It could be brought the next day. This was what they all felt, but no one had the 11 to say anything. They knew that once Gandhiji's mind was made up, nobody could change it. At last Kalyan Bhai gathered up courage. "I'll fetch the book, " he 12. Gandhiji was gentle but 13, "But the promise was made by Manilal. " "Very well, Manilal will go but let me go with him, " Kalyan Bhai pleaded(请求). Gandhiji agreed to this and Manilal 14 with Kalyan Bhai to fetch the book.
The kind and gentle Gandhiji could be firm as a rock at times. He saw that Manilal 15 his word and did as he had promised.
