“Buy me a meal,” a ragpicker boy said, pointing towards a street food vendor. I looked at the signboard and asked him, “Would you like to eat chole bhature?” His little eyes lit up with hope as he nodded. Perhaps he had already imagined himself enjoying a plate of his favourite food. I asked the vendor, as it was still morning, whether the food was ready. In a matter-of-fact tone, he replied that it would take another half an hour to prepare. I turned towards the boy and told him that it would not be possible to wait that long. The hope in his eyes faded, and disappointment took its place. In a hurry to feed the stray animals, I continued towards a nearby herd of cows, leaving the little boy behind.
As I fed one of the cows, a thought suddenly struck me. How could I have been so careless? The boy had asked me for food because he was hungry, yet I had walked away simply because the food he wanted was not ready. I could have taken him to another shop, bought him some packed food or even given him some fruits. Why had I not thought of these simple alternatives? I looked back, hoping to find him, but he had disappeared. My heart felt heavy. I had been so busy carrying out my charitable activities that I had overlooked the immediate need of a hungry child standing right in front of me. Yet I wondered whether true service also meant being attentive enough to recognise the needs of those who crossed our path.
Some time later, I stopped at a vegetable vendor's shop to buy fresh vegetables. After filling my basket, I looked up to have the bill prepared, and there he was—the same little boy, walking past the shop. I did not want to miss another opportunity. Without wasting a moment, I picked up a big apple and handed it to him. I later asked the vegetable vendor to add its price to my bill. The boy immediately began munching the apple. I watched him relishing every bite as he walked away, and I felt relieved that this time I had not let the opportunity to help him pass by.
That little encounter taught me a lesson. Kindness is not always about doing something extraordinary; sometimes, it is about noticing someone's hunger and responding without delay. I had not been able to give the boy the meal he had asked for, but at least I could offer him something to eat. As the saying goes, “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” I hope that, wherever life takes that little boy, he finds enough food, care and opportunities to live a better life. And I hope I always remember that compassion is not merely about having a kind heart; it is also about acting at the right moment.
Pic : Pexels
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