I can still recall the moment when I discovered that a pleasant grin is not necessarily a sign of a compassionate heart. The incident was not big, nor was it noisy. It was not noticeable and could be overlooked. Yet it was with me, and it affected and altered my perception of people.
In those days, I used to trust people without any problem. If somebody treated me well, I assumed that they were good. I believed that most people were truthful. It could be that I only wanted to accept that fact.
During my freshman year at college, I came across a fellow named David. He was not only lovable, humorous, and always ready to give a hand but also had the power to make a whole place less heavy just by his entering. He was popular among everyone, so was I with him.
During the time I had a hard time with a programming assignment, David volunteered to assist me. He was with me for the whole time, going through every detail. It was like great fortune to have him as a friend. I went on to tell others how much I valued him.
At first, his requests were small. He borrowed notes. He used my laptop. Nothing unusual. Then he asked for something bigger my code for his project. He said it was only for reference. He promised to change it. I believed him.
After a few weeks, my lecturer made an appointment with me in her office. She presented me the code that was sent by another individual and that was exactly the same as my code. My heart sank. I was not even forced to guess who it was.
I felt anger and shame inside me. My name was in danger because I wrongly trusted a person. When I confronted David, he put on an innocent face and said that it must have been an oversight. He assured to fix it but he didn't. Quickly, he ceased to talk to me. The friendly smiles that he used to give to others were no longer there for me.
For a while, I was angry. Later, I was just sad. I replayed every moment in my head, wondering how I missed the signs. But wolves don’t always show their teeth. Sometimes they wear a gentle face.
It was a time when I could have really turned sour. However, I eventually got the lesson that not everyone are like David. There are still decent people who sincerely say what they think.
I became more vigilant to what people did rather than what they said. The manner in which people were dealing with others, particularly those who seemed to have nothing to gain, was what I observed. I found out that true kindness remains unchanged even when the giver is not noticed.
Months later, another moment proved this to me. There was a quiet girl in my class named Sarah. Most people barely noticed her. One day, I was stuck on a project. She saw me struggling and offered help. She worked patiently with me until I understood. She didn’t boast or expect anything. She just helped.
That day reminded me that appearances can mislead us in both ways. Just as a wolf can look gentle, a quiet person can hold great kindness.
This lesson stayed with me when I became a freelance web developer. Some clients looked promising, with big words and grand plans, but disappeared when it was time to pay. Others were simple and humble. They didn’t promise much but kept their word.
Initially, one customer was so little that I thought it would be better to reject the offer. However, after taking the job, he was one of the people with whom I had the best working relationships. Not only was he punctual with his payments, he also referred me to other people. It made me think that sometimes there can be greatness in the most unassuming things.
The saying "a wolf in sheep's clothing" is not only about treachery. It is about being alert. It is about being cautious yet not losing your faith in people.
I still meet people who hide selfish motives. But I also meet people who are steady and kind. The difference now is that I wait and watch. I let people reveal who they are over time.
Sometimes I think of David, not with anger but with gratitude. He taught me to look deeper. Because of that, I have better friends and stronger partnerships today.
Looking beyond appearances doesn’t mean living in suspicion. It means testing the waters before you jump in.
At present, I am always set to make a new connection when I meet new people but I am slightly cautious as well. I don’t simply accept what is being said, I expect actions to speak. When I happen to find rara avis among people-sincerity and kindness-I definitely keep them because true kindness in a world where the wolf is disguised as the sheep is a rare thing and it is worth preserving.