on the run...

Indian Railway stations have always been swarming with beggars 24x7 as long as I can remember. When my innocent eyes first saw kids my age begging with their sorry faces, I handed a coin to the one standing nearest. Then suddenly,in a rush, they were all over me with their dirty hands spread out ...saying that they'd not taken any food, saying that their younger siblings are hungry..that moment, I do not remember now, whether I was terrified or scandalized.
As I grew older, left for college, I heard talks about beggars producing more children...which implies, more hands to beg...which implies more money. This is no news to us mortals now. But then, it meant a lot to me. Pity changed to bitterness at the sight of beggars. I felt like I would be encouraging them to beg more if I hand them the money. So, this entire phase right till a few days back, I cringed at the sight of hands spreading out infront of me.
But then,few days while taking a stroll, unconsciously I took out some coins and handed over to the handicapped beggar. A few steps ahead, I repeated my act. . After handing out the coin to the second beggar, I realised that something inside of me had changed. With the one rupee coin in my hand, I have nothing...with that same coin in their hand, they have something...!