I was having my late lunch somewhere near my office one day and the shouts of a boy caught my attention.
Looks like he is selling curry puffs. Curry puffs is a local Malay delicacy that one would usually take for tea. The boy is probably about 10 years old. Bright eyed and spirited. He looks like he is an optimistic dude.
He approached me and wanted to sell me the savory. I was busy eating, so I told him to return once I am done.
He was approaching other tables and he wasn't doing that well. Not many people is buying curry puffs from him. The reason is obvious. He is selling it where the people are already there having their food. Unlikely that they will have more space in their stomach to eat the extra.
Return he did. This boy is persistent. I was quite full. Couldn't cramp in any extra and I told him that.
Instead of turning back feeling rejected, he suggested that I buy for my family or my girlfriend. Wait a minute...how he knows I have a girlfriend? Nah, I don't! Just pulling your legs ya...
I thought to myself, this boy is pretty has some wits. He is fast in his brain.
I felt bad. I gave him Ringgit Malaysia 5. He gleefully took it. It is not much. Proabably worth slightly lesser than 1 SBD. But he was grateful.
He thank me and he left.
I was walking to my car and I noticed that the curry puff boy is handing the money I gave him to a woman with a child seated around the corner. Its quite obvious that the lady couldn't leave that baby alone. I was thinking to myself, this boy is breaking his back and sweat to make a few bucks and he just gave away what could have been his lunch money. The worst part is, he is hardly selling any curry puffs.
I decided I gotta approach this boy. I did. He thought I was back for more.
I needed to satisfy my curiosity. I asked him why he gave away the money he so painstakingly worked for. He told me...
'Well sir, I have roof over my head, clothes to cover my skin from the sun and the cold, I have food on my table. I am already blessed. My mom taught me that donation is for people that is unable to work. I am not eligible because I have able hands and legs. That lady with the baby needs it more than me because she is unable to work and she is more deserving of your donation, sir.'
I did the only thing a self respecting man would do. I shed a teardrop. I wasn't weeping...I merely shed a teardrop. Took out my wallet and bought the remaining. Let's say I made a RICH boy RICHER!
