# Clerk and Bearer explained — The Story of My Experiments with Truth

> Chapter companion for The Story of My Experiments with Truth by Mahatma Gandhi.

## What happens

Gandhi arrives in Calcutta before the Congress session and offers his services at the Congress office. He is given clerical work by Sjt. Ghosal, which he performs diligently, and also volunteers to help with personal tasks like buttoning Ghosal's shirt. Through this service, Gandhi gains insight into the workings of the Congress, meets many leaders, and observes both the strengths and inefficiencies of the organization.

## Themes in this chapter

### Service and Community Leadership

Gandhi volunteers for clerical work and personal service to Sjt. Ghosal, viewing it as an opportunity to learn and serve the Congress.

### Education and Self-Improvement

Gandhi uses his time at the Congress office to gain experience, observe leaders, and understand the workings of the organization.

## Character check-ins

### Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

Offers his services at the Congress office, performs clerical work, and assists Sjt. Ghosal with personal tasks.

### Sjt. Ghosal

Congress secretary who assigns Gandhi clerical work and later becomes a friend; appreciates Gandhi's service.

### Bhupenbabu

Congress secretary who directs Gandhi to Sjt. Ghosal for work.

### Gopal Krishna Gokhale

Observed by Gandhi as one of the stalwart leaders at the Congress.

### Surendranath Banerji

Observed by Gandhi as one of the stalwart leaders at the Congress.

## Key lines

> I am here to do anything that is not beyond my capacity.

Gandhi expresses his willingness to take on any task he is capable of performing.

_Reflects Gandhi's humility and readiness to serve in any capacity._

> I volunteered to do the bearer’s duty, and I loved to do it, as my regard for elders was always great.

Gandhi willingly performed personal services for Sjt. Ghosal out of respect for his elder.

_Shows Gandhi's respect for elders and his lack of hesitation in doing menial work._

> Critical as my mind was in observing these things, there was enough charity in me, and so I always thought that it might, after all, be impossible to do better in the circumstances, and that saved me from undervaluing any work.

Despite noticing inefficiencies in the Congress, Gandhi remained charitable in his judgments and did not dismiss the value of the work being done.

_Highlights Gandhi's balanced perspective and his ability to see the positive side of situations._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-iii-xiv-clerk-and-bearer
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters