A Stranger's Love
When i was young, I was well-taught and brought up to be a very very good boy. And i'm proud to say that I don't smoke now. I don't take alcohol and foul words don't come out of my mouth that easily.
I believe that lots of good values have been instilled into each and everyone of you when you were young. My problem is i took it too seriously.
a strange love developed. Compassionate love for strangers.
Strangers walk in and out of our life every single day. Probably yesterday, a Chinese lady heaving a heavy backpack came up to you. "Sir, do you want to buy some Chinese tea?? Very fragrant!! From China!!"
Now, i remember this one particular man in my neighbourhood. He moves around on a wheelchair. It's motorised, mind you. This uncle sells lottery tickets. Pirated CDs, VCDs and DVDs are his products at the night market. Everytime i see him, i think to myself... Earning a living eventhough he's physically disabled.. Until at one point of my childhood, i had an ambition. To be a man full of riches to be given away to people like him. Mere strangers.
But it became clearer and clearer to me as I grow up. These people are working hard to live their life. Unfortunately, this is how life goes for them. Honestly, i found it very difficult to cope with the cruel world outside my classrooms. What was right is now wrong and some things wrong can turn out to be right! No more giving way to others. It's all about survival, my fren.. In simple terms, it means BE SELFISH!!
Selling pirated CDs are wrong legally. Yes, but if he doesn't have an income, where is he to get money for treatment? If you say from the public, government or whatever associations, how long are they willing to pay? His whole life?? I don't think so.
Kids and elderly people who comes up asking for donations. As a kind-hearted fellow who i believe many of you are, you would at least chip in 10 cents. Minimum 10 cents. But have you ever thought that these people might be deceiving you of your money? You are doing the right thing but you probably helped the wrong people. That simple. That complicated.
Just a few weeks ago, on my way back from college, a man smiled at me. When we were crossing the road to the bus stop, only then i noticed he was limping with a stick. As the very good boy i am, i should have helped him. I didn't.
Even worse, he started moving around with an empty paper cup in his hands from one person to another. I considered giving a ringgit or two. When it came to my turn, i immediately refused. Why?
Because somehow, i see my money as becoming an encouragement for him to continue this "activity". Was I wrong? Was i right? Actually, it depends on how you see it. I felt bad soon after but all i could tell myself is welcome to the real world!
Just a simple memory of the strangers that came across my path are the only LOVE i could afford for them... For now.
posted by naughtyzu @ 10:38 AM
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