Lepers begging is a common sight in the temple. Especially on special days like Saturdays , Sundays when the visitors increase . There is normally a group of 5-6 of them sitting one next to the other asking for alms.
There is an old man among this group with whom I have been having conversations once in a while for the last 4 years. Not really conversations the occasional word or two . I have been seeing him intermittently ever since I started visiting the temple daily. He would enquire about my grand uncle when my grand uncle stopped walking around in the temple due to age.
Initially I used to feel a little embarrassed when he used to try and talk to me . Fears used to dog me.What are others thinking,when they pass by and see me talking to him. will he ask for more than the mandatory 2 Rupee coin that i give him.
I slowly started giving him more than the coin. Once or twice a 5 rupee note or an occasional ten. He has never asked me for more money. He though asks at times for an old shirt, dhoti. Once he asked me for an old umbrella. I am happy to give.
I have begun to develop a soft corner for him. I realized this yesterday when I saw him lying on the ground. For a moment I panicked as I saw flies sitting on his body. I went close to him and saw his stomach moving with his breath, I felt relieved.
There is an old man among this group with whom I have been having conversations once in a while for the last 4 years. Not really conversations the occasional word or two . I have been seeing him intermittently ever since I started visiting the temple daily. He would enquire about my grand uncle when my grand uncle stopped walking around in the temple due to age.
Initially I used to feel a little embarrassed when he used to try and talk to me . Fears used to dog me.What are others thinking,when they pass by and see me talking to him. will he ask for more than the mandatory 2 Rupee coin that i give him.
I slowly started giving him more than the coin. Once or twice a 5 rupee note or an occasional ten. He has never asked me for more money. He though asks at times for an old shirt, dhoti. Once he asked me for an old umbrella. I am happy to give.
I have begun to develop a soft corner for him. I realized this yesterday when I saw him lying on the ground. For a moment I panicked as I saw flies sitting on his body. I went close to him and saw his stomach moving with his breath, I felt relieved.
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