Then at other times, we stop to heed the dull twinges of what remains of our jaded consciences, and reach out to the beggar.
Some are children who have known no other life. Some, victims of circumstance and the wickedness of man. Others, mere pawns of destiny, cursed with disability, and cursed yet again with mentalities that will not rise above them. And then there are the devious opportunists, scavengers, vultures, preying upon the good intentions of the kind-hearted, eventually robbing them of precious naivety, and forever stopping their ears and hearts against the cries of those truly in need.
The beggar will always be here. He can teach us many things, be a constant reminder of many lessons. Lessons of how low we can sink, to be thankful for our stations and that our existence might not be considered base when compared with those who are less fortunate. We hope that by reaching out to the beggar, it might be counted unto us as penance for our many, many sins.
