This evening I went to watch The Good, the Bad and the Ugly with two younger friends. Three men walking into a theatre as though we ourselves had just ridden in from the Wild West.
I looked carefully at my companions before entering. One of them had paid for the popcorn. Surely he was “The Good.” And I, after confidently announcing that I had everybody’s tickets safely with me, spent three minutes searching every pocket except the correct one. Obviously “The Bad.”
But as the film went on, something interesting happened. I stopped watching only the actors on the screen and started secretly observing my friends.
One laughed loudly at scenes nobody else found funny. One sat quietly absorbed in the music. One shared snacks generously. One suddenly pointed out a beautiful camera shot like a film critic from Hollywood.
And slowly I realised something. None of us fitted neatly into any one category.
The cheerful fellow also had thoughtful moments. The serious one suddenly burst into laughter. And the supposedly confused one occasionally said something surprisingly wise.
On the drive home I kept thinking about the title of the film, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Perhaps that is not merely the story of three cowboys. Perhaps it is the story of every human being.
Inside all of us there is goodness. Kindness. Warmth. Generosity. Friendship. And yes, there are also moments when we become ugly and unpleasant. A sharp word. An impatient reply. A careless remark.
Inside each person all these shades keep appearing and disappearing like actors walking in and out of a film scene. Maybe that is why old movies touch us so deeply. Because somewhere we recognise ourselves in every character.
But perhaps the real lesson is something even greater.
Maybe our job in life is not to sit judging who is good, who is bad and who is ugly. Maybe our task is to bring out the good in one another. To encourage instead of condemn. To forgive instead of label. To notice the kindness hidden quietly inside people. Because very often the good inside somebody appears only when somebody else believes it is there.
As we reached home, one friend insisted on dropping me exactly at my gate, though it meant driving further. Another reminded me not to forget my spectacles in the car. Small gestures. Simple kindnesses.
And suddenly the title of the film no longer seemed important.
Because in real life, unlike in movies, nobody is permanently one thing. Most people are simply waiting for the goodness inside them to be noticed, encouraged and brought alive.
And perhaps that is one of the greatest duties we have towards each other.
To help the good come out of everybody, to bring out the good in ourselves, and to start noticing only the good in each other!
“How was the picture?” my wife called out as I walked in.
“Good..!”
The Author conducts an online, eight session Writers and Speakers Course. If you’d like to join, do send a thumbs-up to WhatsApp number 9892572883 or send a message to bobsbanter@gmail.com
