The students were frustrated and restless because of listening to a 3 hour long incessant lecture. It was 8PM and the tuition had to end by now. My teacher learning that he cannot continue the lecture anymore adjourned the class. The all lost joy filled back in the eager students who were waiting to step out the conjusted class room.That was not the case with me as I had to cycle a long distance to my mate's house to recollect my book in person which he was absconding with for months
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I was halfway to his house I started feeling exhausted and halted at a bakery to have some food. While the egg puff I had ordered was being roasted in the oven, a shabby man with unkept hair and tattered shirt with a drunkard's mien entered the bakery. Thinking that he might have come to beg money from the baker I ignored him. Unfortunately he came to me.
He began speaking with me congenially, "Hello brother how are you?", it was an Indian custom to be polite, I replied to him in a friendly tone,"I am fine how are you?", so began our conversation. Little did I expect so much knowledge from a man of such lowly pretense. After some time had passed the baker finally removed the tasty hot puffs from the oven and handed it over to me. With the famished man beside I had lost my appetite. The man spoke after a long pause," Sir please give me some money as I am hungry for days. Moved by compassion, I ordered for another piece of egg puff instead of giving money. He heartily thanked me and left my table.
When I took my cycle after eating, I noticed a car parking next to the bakery from which a rich man got down. The drunkard walked near the rich man and begged for alms. This act initially enraged me but later I was filled with compassion as I realized that he too may have a family which he has to take care of.
After cycling some distance I felt my pant pocket, and realized I had left my phone in the bakery. While hurrying back to the bakery my eyes fell on the beggar. With money in his hands was hurrying happily into the bar to have some liquor. Now my trust in and compassion for him evaporated and felt cheated for giving him alms when he was physically capable to earn! After this event I had finally learnt a lesson not to give alms to able-bodied beggars who are capable of physical work and never to drunkards!
-Aravind Srinivasan