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The devil in me

Yesterday as I was driving back from a lunch with colleagues, I was shocked to see an old man sit right in the middle of the road - a busy road. Long white hair, similar beard, torn shirt; he sat there with his back to my car. Vehicles zoomed passed him on either sides. It was a narrow road and he was an obstruction to the traffic. Vehicles swirled by to avoid hitting him.
Just as my car passed him, I glanced at the side of the road, where I assume he must have been sitting otherwise. There was tree,under which there were a few clothes, a rug to sit on, a polythene bag with his meagre possessions and...crutches!
I zoomed past, like may other vehicles. Now I could see his face in the rear view mirror. He looked calm. Possibly even smiling! How did he land in the middle of the road? Did someone put him there? Did he get there himself to fetch one his precious possessions that may have rolled off? Only he knew the answer
And the simple question I ask myself which only I can answer...Why did I not help him? Where was my humanity and compassion? Or is it only reserved for organised social work, flood victims, underprivileged children?
Need to fight this streak before I grow into a full fledged ass hole. 
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Kshitij said…
Well, to be honest, I would have faced the same dilemna. But definitely a good question. We should be fighting that streak! After all, nobody likes an a**hole! ;-)
7:15 pm
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