I was lucky enough to get a seat on my bus to work this morning. I put my bag down and a woman plonked her wet umbrella on it. I wasn't pleased. As I settled down, an oldish man using two sticks as an aid embarked the double decker. As the bus passed the river, I stood up and offered him my seat, and stood nearby. He said thanks and sat down, seemingly amazed.
As he passed me to get to the seat, I smelled the stench of one who has lived on the streets. The woman who had placed her wet brolly on my bag glowered at me as he took his place next to her. The man played with what looked like a toy mobile phone as the stink of urine seeped from his very being. But he was just a man. What difference does it make that he was a down-and-out? He had more manners than the woman had with her frosty features and stony glare. It made me smile.
Eventually, the wet-umbrella-woman got off the bus and the man tapped me on the shoulder to offer me a chance to sit. I was getting off soon, so refused, thanking him. His blue eyes sparkled.
I wondered what he had looked like when he was a baby and his mother had held him close and breathed the very skin of him. I wondered if anyone did anything these days but simply walk away.
Really thoughtful piece...There are times when I believe all are the same...yet there are times, when I actually make a face when the stale odour of another hits me especially early in the morning in a crowded bus...and then I think to myself...How rude of me.
ReplyDeleteGood to see you, Preetha :)
ReplyDeleteI'm also guilty of doing the same – but I don't think it's rude. The smell of someone who has slept on the streets for months/years is sometimes just simply unpleasant. It's a physical reaction – you can't help but find it 'bad' if it is indeed a bad smell.
What was so marked for me was the difference in manner and manners between these two people. His obliviousness to her apparent disgust, and the cheerfulness of his face, was amusing to watch.
That was so touching...
ReplyDeletePity how we go by external appearance and so-called social status,than try to look through the surface and see the beautiful being within others.I am so happy you did that and with a kind word of thanks,made his day!God Bless.
I really enjoyed this post. Well done. It can be unpleasant to show compassion to the less fortunate sometimes, but it is also the right things to do.
ReplyDeletePaul (http://strugglingwriter.wordpress.com)
Good evening, Sameera, hello :) How are you doing?
ReplyDeleteIt was strange – I am ccertainly guilty of walking by people who are on the streets, begging. There are so many of them. There was a man at a bus stop the other day. His feet were bare and the day was so, so cold. I was wrapped in a coat, boots and scarf, and was still cold. I didn't do anything to help this man. I saw him, felt awful that he was suffering – he must have been freezing – but what could I do? I went on my way. Makes you feel helpless at times...
Hey Paul, thank you.
ReplyDeleteIt is the right thing but not always perhaps as easy it should be. We become so conditioned to seeing people in bad states that it becomes the norm after a while and the person blends into the background, becomes as human as a brick wall. Sad, really...
I am fine dear,thanks.I know,at times we are helpless and have to walk away by turning a blind eye.But you felt that person's suffering,that sets you apart from many others :)
ReplyDeleteHave a great week ahead!