Time, 10 minutes to 1pm on 9 July, 2010. Scene, at the exit or Orchard Station, Singapore. While I was waiting for a friend for lunch, I sat near steps. Suddenly, I heard a whispering voice my back, "Excuse me sir, can I speak to you for a while?". We were at a corner near a lift where it was quiet from the bustling crowds. He then sat down next to me and mumbled, "To be honest sir, if you could help me out. I actually lost my wallet and I need SGD4 to take a transport to the nearest police station at Tanglin." Then I said to him, "Are you pinoy?". As he looked brown skins and does not look local to me. He said, "No no no sir, I am singaporean". Somehow I don't buy the story he wants. I took another look at him, he looks pretty decent, not harmful, but somehow I suspect he wants the money for food instead". I told myself, well what can $4 get you? Drugs? No. Gamble? No. So I thought ok I will give it to him.
When I hand over the money to him, I told him I trusted him. Make use of the money wisely. I guess for somebody to ask a stranger, it takes a lot of guts and desperations. The surprise thing it happens in Singapore!
1 comment:
My pastor shared a similar stories before. He said what can $4 do for you and me ? if we give it to the stranger, will that $4 hurt us deeply ? $4 actually is a small amount for u and me.... Likewise, if we take the chance, may be that $4 is significant and meant a lot to the person who receive it ....never know, that $4 could buy him a meal to fill his hunger, or to take cab to the police station... What u did was right, you said it to him that u trusted him to use the money wisely .... Proud of your action !!
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