Compatriot|هموطن

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“61st story”

A story by Laleh Chini:

First Published: Oct.18.2018

23 years ago, my husband, our 6-year-old son, and I flew to Turkey to pay a visit.

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We toured beautiful Istanbul and Ankara for around ten days. To return to Iran, we decided to go by bus so we could see many parts of Turkey and Iran on the way.

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The border was like an airport and there were more than 10 buses and many cars waiting in line to be checked. All the passengers were supposed to stay in the terminal.

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People had their luggage in line and sat on benches, chairs and some on the floor waiting for their bus to come out of customs.

90 percent of the terminal was filled with Iranian people. A couple approached us and started a conversation: “Hi, how are you? What brought you to Turkey?”

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They complimented each one of us and tried to get friendly. They seemed like a nice and normal couple.

Then the couple asked us: “Looks like you don’t have any suitcase.“

My husband said: “We were touring and a carry-on was enough for us.”

The couple continued: “Now that you don’t have any luggage, do you mind passing this handmade Turkish rug through customs for us? This way we don’t have to pay duty. We both have two suitcases and if we take this rug they will charge us a lot.”

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My husband without any hesitation said: “Sorry, we can’t.”

The couple said: “Why? That would be very nice of you. You don’t have anything with you. Please just pass this rug for us. God bless you if you do.”

My husband got annoyed and said: “Sorry, I would never do this. I don’t know you. I can’t trust you. Sorry.”

They got mad and mumbled while leaving us: “It was just a rug. Cheap, unkind people are gathered here calling themselves compatriots.”

After a while, they announced our bus number and finally we could get to the bus. When we reached the other side of customs, we saw that couple in handcuffs, the rug was open and there were many small plastic bags filled with drugs.”

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Thank God for my husband’s wise decision, we could have gotten executed for that amount of drugs or rotted in jail forever.

Dear friends:

You can purchase my book “Climbing Over Grit” Winner of “Canada Book Award” at;

Barnes & Noble, Gardners, Bertrams, Ingram, Baker & Taylor, Amazon.com and all bookselling channels via hubs in the US, UK, Brazil, Germany, Russia, and Australia. The links are listed below:

http://l-aleph.com

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https://www.bertrams.com/BertWeb/index.jsp

https://www.whitcoulls.co.nz/product/climbing-over-grit-978917637553237903

Our Book Page is:

http://l-aleph.com/project/climbing-over-grit/

http://l-aleph.com/our-authors-2/

Join me at:

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Categories: bedtime story, fable, parableTags: ,

194 comments ›

  1. Caffe
    October 18, 2018 • 12:17 pm

    Good lesson for other tourists.

    Liked by 6 people

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  2. Jim
    October 18, 2018 • 12:20 pm

    karma is good at times. nice story sweetie! 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

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  3. joyroses13
    October 18, 2018 • 12:26 pm

    Wow! I was hoping that you all would say No when I was reading your story for I just sensed something strange about a couple asking that.I can’t imagine the relief you felt when you saw them handcuffed!

    Liked by 4 people

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  4. whenmarsmetsaturn
    October 18, 2018 • 12:35 pm

    A similar incident happened to my grandfather in America in the 60s, a jacket instead of a rug. He used to tell us his story, teaching us to be cautious. I wonder if this sort of thing happens a lot in airports.

    Liked by 2 people

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  5. EmotionalNotions
    October 18, 2018 • 12:49 pm

    Intuition should always trump kindness.

    Liked by 2 people

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  6. DutchIl
    October 18, 2018 • 1:03 pm

    Thank you for sharing your adventures and glad that you did the right thing and not get into trouble… 🙂

    “There is an African saying which is: Be careful when a naked person offers you a shirt”

    Liked by 3 people

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  7. myexpressionofthoughtsblog
    October 18, 2018 • 1:07 pm

    That’s so scary and thank you for sharing your experience

    Liked by 2 people

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  8. Nora Edinger JOY Journal
    October 18, 2018 • 1:08 pm

    I’ll have to tell our daughters about this. “Nice” can get one in a whole lot of trouble. Glad you were safe!

    Liked by 3 people

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  9. hassanmosleh
    October 18, 2018 • 1:10 pm

    Dear laleh, what a day and memory, that I would never forget. I’m glad that I refused to help them. Thank you for sharing our memory to be a life lesson for others.

    Liked by 2 people

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  10. lampmagician
    October 18, 2018 • 1:13 pm

    Reblogged this on lampmagician and commented:
    Think always twice 😊👍❤

    Liked by 2 people

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  12. Professor Taboo
    October 18, 2018 • 2:12 pm

    Nothing at all wrong with being cordial and showing common courtesy with strangers — applause to you and your husband for being kind. But trust is not the same thing and requires more than 10-mins or 1-2 weeks or even 2-3 months! Trust is earned by repeated actions matching words. 😉

    A good lesson on human etiquette with discernment Laleh. Thank you. ❤

    Liked by 2 people

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  13. crimsonprose
    October 18, 2018 • 2:56 pm

    I had a similar experience in Bulgaria. My friend was all up for accepting a ‘sweetener’. But myself, no way.

    Liked by 2 people

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  14. equipsblog
    October 18, 2018 • 3:05 pm

    Wonderful story. Hate to say that the ending was not a surprise. People will try almost anything to get one over.

    Liked by 2 people

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  16. Johnzelle
    October 18, 2018 • 5:03 pm

    Great story as always! I finished your book and plan to post my review today.

    Liked by 1 person

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  17. Rosaliene Bacchus
    October 18, 2018 • 5:07 pm

    In the Caribbean and Brazil, travelers were warned about such tactics at international airports.

    Liked by 3 people

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  18. ajeanneinthekitchen
    October 18, 2018 • 5:53 pm

    WOW!!!! Your husband made a very wise decision and stuck with it. Good for you both.

    Liked by 2 people

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  19. Bushra's Lifestyle Blog
    October 18, 2018 • 6:20 pm

    OMG, Laleh, that couple was brutal. But on the other hand those kinds of people are way far form humanity so they can do anything. I am so glad that your husband was wise. I might have said, sure. We are frequent international travelers and my brother always said, don’t ever help anyone in their luggage but I never took it seriously. I am going to share this with him and my mother. Thank you so much for sharing this. It would help a lot of people. I am so glad that you were safe. Thanks to Allah. Stay blessed and stay connected. I have started a series of interview with successful bloggers like yourself. Next week I am featuring my 4th bloggers interview. Would you some times be able to spare some time for me, If I would like to ask you for an interview? Take care

    Liked by 3 people

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  20. Invisibly Me
    October 18, 2018 • 7:47 pm

    Heck, damn good job your husband instantly declined taking the rug through. They do advise against things like this but people can be pushy and the kind-hearted people put under pressure end up feeling guilty if they say no. Very good job you stuck to your answer. That must have been quite unnerving to have to deal with their request, let alone terrifying to then see them arrested!
    xx

    Liked by 2 people

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  21. Manessah B.
    October 18, 2018 • 7:50 pm

    Very wise decision!! It’s a shame when people use kindness as a guise to pull off bad deeds. So glad you guys were spared from that.

    Liked by 2 people

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  22. URBAN HIJAB
    October 18, 2018 • 8:05 pm

    Whew! That was a close one! Good thing your husband took that decision!!!

    Liked by 2 people

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  23. Jonathan Caswell
    October 18, 2018 • 9:19 pm

    Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
    THE FATHER’S MORAL CHARACTER SAVED HIS FAMILY FROM DISASTER!

    Liked by 2 people

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  24. stopociechblog
    October 18, 2018 • 11:03 pm

    I am naïve, gullible and completely non-permanent. I grew up in the shade of family warmth, simple rural life. I would probably take this carpet and lose my life. You have a wise husband, but it also stems from something. Life teaches us.

    Liked by 2 people

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  25. Equipping
    October 18, 2018 • 11:31 pm

    Thanks for your like of my post, “Left Behind? Why?” You are very kind.

    Liked by 2 people

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  26. www.corneliaweber-photography.com
    October 19, 2018 • 1:52 am

    Ha, reading the first few lines, I know what’s going to happen. It is always a fine line between being a kind, helpful person and trusting your guts that this is not the time to be helpful. Wise decision!!

    Liked by 2 people

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  28. Warren Richards
    October 19, 2018 • 3:31 am

    You always have interesting stories! A husband is a protector for his family! God bless!

    Liked by 2 people

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  29. 🌴🌺🇹🇹🌊Tammy7711🌴🌺🇹🇹🌊
    October 19, 2018 • 3:53 am

    Hmmm very wise move indeed by your spouse! Thank God for the spiritual gift of discernment. I knew something was fishy about that couple :/ hmm
    Blessings!

    Liked by 3 people

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  30. padmajaramesh
    October 19, 2018 • 6:40 am

    Thank god that your husband was wise enough to avoid this horrible situation. 😇✌👏

    Liked by 2 people

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  31. efge63
    October 19, 2018 • 6:59 am

    Thanks God !!!!!

    When you travel abroad, you automatically become vulnerable when ending up in new surroundings and among new people. There is a lot that can happen and you never know when accidents happen, but luckily, there are some things that you can be extra careful with while traveling.

    Here 11 Things to be extra careful with while traveling

    https://www.swedishnomad.com/11-safety-tips-while-traveling/

    Have a nice day my Laleh!!!!

    Liked by 2 people

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  33. Gallivanta
    October 19, 2018 • 9:42 am

    Thank goodness your husband refused to take the rug.

    Liked by 2 people

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  34. Golden Bird
    October 19, 2018 • 10:44 am

    Good lessons that u give here

    Liked by 2 people

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  35. Crissy
    October 19, 2018 • 11:19 am

    Unfortunately because of this situations it becomes harder and harder to trust people, even more so when they are too friendly.
    ❤️❤️

    Liked by 2 people

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  36. natuurfreak
    October 19, 2018 • 2:36 pm

    Mijn leuze is niets aannemen of meenemen van iemand anders als je op reis bent.Heel wat goegelovige mensen zijn zo al in de gevangenis geraakt omdat ze aanzien werden als drugsmokkelaar.Gelukkig was je man heel kordaat

    Liked by 1 person

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  37. Jack Eason
    October 20, 2018 • 6:49 am

    Reblogged this on Have We Had Help? and commented:
    More from Laleh…

    Liked by 2 people

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  38. Silver Screenings
    October 20, 2018 • 7:47 pm

    Whoa! So glad you husband declined the offer to “help” this couple. When people get mad after you refuse to do a favour for them, you know there is more going on than meets the eye, no?

    Liked by 2 people

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  39. OIKOS™-Publishing
    October 21, 2018 • 1:27 am

    What a helpful story, Laleh! Thank you! We always think such things never can happen to ourselves. Only a short moment without using the brain can bring a lot of problems. A few days ago i watched a TV-docu about such a case. A really good decision of your husband. Best wishes, Michael.

    Liked by 2 people

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  40. Winnie
    October 21, 2018 • 9:28 am

    I’m so glad your husband is very wise. That is a good lesson for all of us.

    Liked by 2 people

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  41. Candia
    October 21, 2018 • 11:57 am

    Such a shame that trusting people might be conned into something so dangerous. Thank you for the cautionary tale and thank you for following my posts.

    Liked by 2 people

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  43. freiedenkerin
    October 21, 2018 • 8:32 pm

    It is always wise and advisabel to carry some mistrust with you…

    Liked by 2 people

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  45. sunnysideupfreshperspectives
    October 23, 2018 • 11:46 am

    Absolutely true! We cannot trust anyone unknown to us nor can we act as their drug mules. A sad blight on society but a very wise decision to decline.

    Liked by 2 people

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  46. Sean D. Layton
    October 24, 2018 • 4:55 am

    Sadly, you just can’t blindly trust people. Too many will take advantage of a kind person’s good nature and not think twice about leaving them in a difficult situation.

    Liked by 2 people

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  47. jmshistorycorner
    October 24, 2018 • 10:02 am

    Oh, man. Good thing you didn’t do it!

    Liked by 3 people

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  48. America On Coffee
    October 25, 2018 • 3:28 am

    Nice share. The arrest of drug smugglers was certainly the downside of your exasperating adventure.😊☕❤

    Liked by 2 people

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  49. margielucas2017
    October 28, 2018 • 1:05 am

    Yes, we have to be careful. I’m so glad nothing happened to y’all.

    Liked by 3 people

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  50. janetsm
    October 28, 2018 • 2:56 am

    Laleh, you’ve shared another interesting story. Thank goodness you and your husband refused to transport that rug!

    Liked by 2 people

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  51. rue202
    October 30, 2018 • 4:49 am

    Good thing you guys said “No”. I was a bit surprised when you said you saw them getting arrested. Sick how they were trying to get you guys to take it so that they would not be arrested.

    Liked by 1 person

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  52. catblog618
    October 30, 2018 • 4:33 pm

    Thanks for following my blog, and for your like of my posts. You are very kind.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
  53. Barbara Grace Lake
    November 11, 2018 • 11:00 pm

    Even with people I know well, when I am asked to do a favor, my stock answer is “I can neither say yes or no, but I’m willing to hear what favor you want from me.” I’ve found that too often the favor entails placing me in the middle of some disagreement between family members or friends, a most uncomfortable place to be.

    Liked by 2 people

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  54. Barbara Grace Lake
    November 11, 2018 • 11:35 pm

    Agreed. People we know well would never hurt us, at least never intentionally. With people we don’t know, I agree with your husband, the answer would be an unequivocable NO.

    Liked by 2 people

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  55. ForgivingConnects
    November 12, 2018 • 4:39 am

    Thank you, Laleh! This is really good to know.
    It’s lovely to meet you.
    Blessings to you and your husband. Debbie

    Liked by 1 person

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  56. Ankur Mithal
    November 14, 2018 • 5:46 am

    Today most people are aware. Great that your husband had this wisdom 23 years back when the world was perhaps a safer place.

    Liked by 1 person

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  57. kinge
    January 2, 2021 • 8:33 am

    I’m glad for the fast decision making of your husband and the sternness in not changing his mind. It would have turned out very different if he did. There’s a great lesson in your story. Acts of kindness can sometimes lead us to trouble if logic is ignored in some situations. Stay well and have a prosperous New year.

    Liked by 1 person

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  58. utahan15
    January 2, 2021 • 8:54 am

    so hari was right
    take care beware
    of the every very
    dangers from strangers

    Liked by 1 person

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  59. Sonam
    January 2, 2021 • 9:10 am

    That’s so daunting. Never did I hear of similar incidences happening in real life. Anyways, it relieve to know that both of didn’t fall in trap.
    Also, the story was well written as well. Best regards🤩💫

    Liked by 1 person

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  61. Orvillewrong
    January 2, 2021 • 11:16 am

    These people prey on thee gullible!

    Liked by 2 people

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  62. Cindy Georgakas
    January 2, 2021 • 12:13 pm

    OMG, your never ending stories are always so awesome.. Smart husband I’d say ad thank the lord!!!❤️👏👏👏👏👏

    Liked by 1 person

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  63. kethuprofumo
    January 2, 2021 • 1:33 pm

    What a terrible story, dear Laleh! Happy New Year! May 2021 be a year of pleasant surprises for you! 🎄🧨✨🎉

    Liked by 1 person

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  65. Crissy
    January 3, 2021 • 5:55 am

    Your husband was very wise making that decision, makes me shiver at the thought of what could of happened. Sad to say, but the way the world is today and even 23 years ago, trusting people is something we can’t just do. Unfortunately, even more so when they are too friendly.
    Thank you for sharing Laleh !

    Liked by 1 person

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  66. Lahoucine Elassry
    January 7, 2021 • 10:17 am

    Good advices

    Liked by 1 person

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