Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Difficult Choices Bear Deep Rewards


--by guin, posted Mar 17, 2007

I think that while some acts of kindness are easy to do or are done in a sort of planned way,  there are other moments that test you.

In the face of hunger, suffering and misery, my mind begins to rationalise and justify why I shouldn't be helping.  However, sometimes after the good fight, a sense of compassions wins and I do something.  Otherwise my laziness or fear wins over and I just walk away.

Today I faced this kind of choice.

I had walked a bit of a distance from my University Campus to my bus stop.  I did not have all that much money to spend and wanted to catch the train which was a cheaper form of transport, after which I would have to change to another train and then a bus.  I also needed to cross two national highways to reach the stop-places with fast cars and huge trucks whizzing past that is a pedestrians nightmare.

On a blazing hot afternoon, I was already getting tired thinking of the commute - add to which a couple of friends who hadn't waited for me but left already.

I saw an old man with a begging bowl. He seemed so weak that he couldn't even get to a proper place but was just begging on the ground near the ticket counter.  It would be unjustifiable to say he should work and earn his money,etc. because he was clearly too old, sick and incapable of doing that.

I turned away and walked over to the next stop where I needed to catch my train a short distance away.  I looked over and saw the old man again.  The students passing him were brushing him off and not even glancing at him.

I saw that there was not much time left for the train.

I waited for a couple of minutes. Some feeling from my heart told me that I should not ignore doing what I could to help this old man.  It was an intuitive feeling of connection.

Much to the confusion of some onlookers, I made my way back to the University, past the national highways.  I bought him a hot meal that was packaged by the food court on campus.  Then I made my way back to the station.

I could hear the train coming,  but I stopped to see the old man anyway.  At that moment, when I handed the meal to the old man, a look of surprise and pure joy passed his way.  He gave me a humongous toothless smile.

I think as much as the food, he was very happy that someone actually thought about him since he had seen me make a trip back to college to buy him lunch.

I may not have made much of a difference in his life since I only bought him food for a day, but I felt that at least he knew there were people who cared about him.

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Readers Comments

raqui wrote: Yes kindness goes a long way. Living in the city we tend to over look people they are part of the secenery. That kind action may have bought him food for the day. But the kindness shown will keep both of you feeling good for a long time. HUGS
MakeSomeoneSmile wrote: It is easy to pass by these types of situations. Thanks for being different and making a difference!
afriendlysmile wrote: Hi guin

You're an angel,

Really cool how you to all that trouble
to help that senior citizen.

You are right its so easy to find an excuse to just put your head down and pass by.

afriendlysmile:)
Susan evans wrote: That is such a lovely story.Thank you for sharing it....and making me realise who am I to judge.
wayfarer wrote: Hi Guin,

I read this story without looking at who had posted it. I knew it was yours though because I recognised your heart.

Wayfarer
Sarah wrote: That is such a nice story.
Well done for going out of your way to brighten up his day.
Keep up the good work.
Sarah.
Shannon wrote: I love hearing when people go out of their way to be nice. I applaud you for taking the time to go back and help this man.

Shannon
http://www.pixels4kindness.com
BethAnn wrote: It is so much easier to avoid eye contact and just walk on by folks like this but you went out of your way to help this man. What a blessing to him, you and everyone who witnessed this action!!! Thanks for sharing.
BethAnn wrote: It is so much easier to avoid eye contact and just walk on by folks like this but you went out of your way to help this man. What a blessing to him, you and everyone who witnessed this action!!! Thanks for sharing.
P wrote: it is a a nice gesture of goodwill.

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