Like The Flowing River!

--by bearhug, posted Dec 4, 2007

[ One of my favorite stories from Paulo Coelho’s 'Like the Flowing River', in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro.]

My wife and I met her on the corner of Rua Constante Ramos in Copacbana. She was about sixty years old, sitting in a wheelchair, lost in the crowd. My wife offered to help her and the woman accepted the offer, asking us to take her to Rua Santa Clara.

There were a few plastic bags hanging from the back of the wheelchair. On the way, she told us that they contained all her belongings. She slept in shop doorways and lived off handouts.

We reached the place where she wanted to go. Other beggars were gathered there. The woman took out two packets of long-life milk from one of the plastic bags and gave it to the other members of the group.

“People are charitable to me, and so I must be charitable to others,” she said.

7085 Reads

Posted by bearhug
Dec 4, 2007
Comments (15)

Readers Comments

AURELIA wrote: AWWWW, that's so sweet. It feels good to give, no matter what it is we are giving. It's important to be able to do so because it's good for us. Someday we will be sitting wondering what good did we do in this world????Hopefully you will be able to remember many happy moments of sharing. ~Aurelia

tigerlily wrote: A circle of life. Very inspiring that one seemingly so needy would be so giving. A manifestation of perfect love. Thank you for sharing this story.

aarthilal wrote: dear team, this is really amazing book! Paulo is a great writer! master of the word!
I don't know if you heard about his blog
http://www.paulocoelhoblog.com
You'll see a community of warriors of light sharing ideas, dreams and most importantly following their personal legend.
See u there and have a great day!

keshavarao wrote: what a wonderful kindness, really shows how human heart blossoms! thank you for sharing.

yarkiden wrote: yes. it is true. in my life in a developing country I have received more from the poor than from those who we consider rich. They are rich only materially and they lack of the best part the spiritual richness

lOVEBUG wrote: My experience in life tells me, all of humanity biased. My bias tends to lean toward the poor. God in his gracious mercy has given me physical comfort and a kink and loving spirit because I have faith. I have faith because the poor shared their faith with me, they depend on God and not their own strength. Human angels who are willing to share the secret of life

katlampi wrote: I LOVE Paulo Coelho, and I am so glad you posted this!! I just finished his book "Eleven Minutes," and am planning on reading something else of his after the Christmas season! I might have to pick up a copy of "Like the Flowing River" -- sounds like a good one!

resha valentine wrote: She was a nice person. She wants to help other, aside from her handicapp he did not blame GOd nor she do her best to make other happy. I hope many people will do the things like that. I'm very proud of you.

shweta wrote: what goes around comes around in every sense. circle of life. if we all followed the basics it would all be so simple and harmonous like it is in this stroy. beautiful and very inspiring!

Megan Bloomquist wrote: That woman is very kind and generous. I hope God blesses her with many wonderful things.

Stories of Kindness from Around the World