"Sometime in your life, hope that you might see one starved man, the look on his face when the bread finally arrives. Hope that you might have baked it or bought or even kneaded it yourself. For that look on his face, for your meeting his eyes across a piece of bread, you might be willing to lose a lot, or suffer a lot, or die a little, even." ~ Daniel Berrigan.
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The words hit a nerve. It was in another time. There was this elderly man, a destitute i would guessed. Saw him every so often on my way to work. He would normally sit on a pavement. Alone. There was no one
around. He seemed to be lost in a world of his own.
around. He seemed to be lost in a world of his own.
A thought was playing on my mind often when i walked past him. One day, out of pity or sympathy i wouldn't know, i finally act on this thought. It was the easiest thing one could. And yet it took me awhile and after much prodding of reason, although one could do it without reason whatsoever. i bought two packet of simple take-away "nasi campur" and handed one to him.
He accepted the small 'token' with appreciation. The look on his face i still remember though i don't recall his face any longer. The above piece described exactly that face. The feeling was the same too. They said giving is always more noble than receiving. Do not know if it's more noble but yes, it does feel good after that.
We could all learn to give. Even if it's a small gesture. Even if to a stranger. For we are all connected in some way.
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