This incident happened about a year ago on the auspicious day of Dusshera. I was on my way back home from the college when I decided to visit a nearby Hanuman temple. It was nearing winter, the weather was cool and pleasant so I didn't mind walking the short distance. So there I was standing in front of the red idol joining hands and chanting prayers with all my heart. I took the prasad and started securing my floaters when an old beggar lady sitting near the temple started begging for 5 rupees from me. She wanted to have some Tea. Well I never entertain beggars, I don't believe it's any kind of charity. So with same truth, I ignored her presence and walked away with a stiff face.
Halfway to my home, I started doubting my actions. " She is an old lady! How could you do that?? All she wanted was some Tea to drink ! She can't even work now!!" This was all I could think of. After fighting with my conscience till the end of the road I finally decided to give her something to eat. So I rushed to a nearby fruit vendor and bought a dozen of bananas. It costed me 60 bucks so I could pay the amount with my pocket money. I walked as fast as I could to the temple all excited to see her reaction!
She sat in the same position as before and was still begging for 5 rupees. I went towards her and handed over the bananas with a stupid smile on my face. If I were in her place I would have ran off seeing such a creep! Maybe I was proud of myself that I made such a wonderful decision, that I was helping somebody. I could not contain my happiness! I could see she was delighted. I stood in front of her as if I was expecting a thank you. (I don't even remember why I did that!!)
And finally she opened her mouth. She said " Please give me five rupees I want to drink some Tea".
I stood there dumbfounded. I wanted to run off but I couldn't get myself to do that. I ended up giving her 5 rupees, she THEN thanked me and I walked away nodding. All the way home I cursed myself for being such an impulsive person. I was frustrated with myself. somehow I hid all my frustration. I didn't want my family to know about it. I didn't want to be assured that I was a certified Idiot!
Late evening my uncle and aunt came to greet us with sona leaves. We all talked, exchanged the leaves and had sweets. It was a sunday (Yes. I did have my lectures on sunday) so my dad had to buy some bananas for his monday morning puja. My uncle suggested that he would buy them and give it to me so that my dad wouldn't have to go to the market.
So I went with him to the same fruit vendor. My uncle asked for one dozen of bananas of the same kind I had bought earlier.
"40 rupees" he said.
Again I stood there dumbfounded. In addition to wasting 40 bucks I had been cheated by 20!
I went back home with the bananas drenched in self pity.
Well at the end of the day I had a good laugh at my stupidity. I giggled quite a lot that night.
Next day my family stared at me with suspision as I grinned weirdly at them on the breakfast table.
I was so nervous! had they come to know about yesterday's episode? My sister got up from her chair walked towards me and whispered in my ears " Cut it out, you creep ".
Halfway to my home, I started doubting my actions. " She is an old lady! How could you do that?? All she wanted was some Tea to drink ! She can't even work now!!" This was all I could think of. After fighting with my conscience till the end of the road I finally decided to give her something to eat. So I rushed to a nearby fruit vendor and bought a dozen of bananas. It costed me 60 bucks so I could pay the amount with my pocket money. I walked as fast as I could to the temple all excited to see her reaction!
She sat in the same position as before and was still begging for 5 rupees. I went towards her and handed over the bananas with a stupid smile on my face. If I were in her place I would have ran off seeing such a creep! Maybe I was proud of myself that I made such a wonderful decision, that I was helping somebody. I could not contain my happiness! I could see she was delighted. I stood in front of her as if I was expecting a thank you. (I don't even remember why I did that!!)
And finally she opened her mouth. She said " Please give me five rupees I want to drink some Tea".
I stood there dumbfounded. I wanted to run off but I couldn't get myself to do that. I ended up giving her 5 rupees, she THEN thanked me and I walked away nodding. All the way home I cursed myself for being such an impulsive person. I was frustrated with myself. somehow I hid all my frustration. I didn't want my family to know about it. I didn't want to be assured that I was a certified Idiot!
Late evening my uncle and aunt came to greet us with sona leaves. We all talked, exchanged the leaves and had sweets. It was a sunday (Yes. I did have my lectures on sunday) so my dad had to buy some bananas for his monday morning puja. My uncle suggested that he would buy them and give it to me so that my dad wouldn't have to go to the market.
So I went with him to the same fruit vendor. My uncle asked for one dozen of bananas of the same kind I had bought earlier.
"40 rupees" he said.
Again I stood there dumbfounded. In addition to wasting 40 bucks I had been cheated by 20!
I went back home with the bananas drenched in self pity.
Well at the end of the day I had a good laugh at my stupidity. I giggled quite a lot that night.
Next day my family stared at me with suspision as I grinned weirdly at them on the breakfast table.
I was so nervous! had they come to know about yesterday's episode? My sister got up from her chair walked towards me and whispered in my ears " Cut it out, you creep ".