I speak about this often because it is etched in my mind and heart.
He spread out his hand for alms and I dropped a few coins in his palm. I was walking away, when I heard a voice from behind say, “excuse me.” I turned back. It was the same old man. I said, “yes?” He responded - I’m glad God still makes beautiful women. I whispered a ‘thank you’ and left him standing there. That was New Year’s eve, and he made my day!
He was on my mind and - I had to go back.
After a couple of disappointments, I finally found him. I spent a long time talking to him. He calls himself a yogi and that's the reason he lives on public alms. I stood there for all of 60 minutes, mesmerized, while the highly educated and wise man talked about everything from the Pie-algorithm to Tolstoyan Movement. That was only the beginning. Like a moth drawn to light, I keep going back for more and he never disappoints me. I learn so much from him. He even advices me on various things.
While people give him money, I've never seen anybody talk to him – not once. I receive curious glances when they see me talking to an old man with dirty clothes, unkempt hair and a drunken demeanor.
One day, a couple of months back, he said to me, You made a difference in my life. Thank you! His words shook me to the core. All I did was talk to him and may be take him something to eat once in a while. It was at that moment that I realized there are people in this world who crave for the little things that we tend to take for granted: a little time and a few kind words.
Stopping for a moment and looking beyond the superficial appearances of people, can lead us to a wonderful world that we may not even know exists.
This is a beautiful story @knowledge1!
I am thinking that I may have confused you. I meant for people to write their story as an individual blog post using the 4 tags that we have identified and then copy the link for their blog story here, on this post as a way for us to more easily find this.
I have upvoted your story written as a comment at 100% of my upvoting power, but because it's not a posted story, others will only see it if they read through the comments. This is a shame because your story is really good and it's valuable.
What I would suggest is that you re-write it by changing it slightly, adding a picture and the tags that we have requested. It sounds like alms is a physical location where this person lives. Is that correct? If so, maybe you could explain that as a way to change this story up. Then, others will have a better chance of being able to read your work, it will help your reputation and we can upvote and resteem it.
If we get hit by the cheetah bot, I will speak up for you, if you are willing to rework and actually post your story.
I have followed you. :)
Now when I re-read your post, I see no confusion there. I somehow overlooked the bit about blogging the story. Thanks for bringing it to my notice.
The meaning of alms: money or food given to poor people. I used that specific word because I'm not comfortable using the word begging.
I may just create a blog post on this. Thanks for the upvote and following you too. :)
I hope you do @knowledge1, and if you do, post the link here and I will know. :)