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The Beggar Girl
i got down from the rick
and a little beggar girl, about four years old, rushed to me
she had coarse brown hair, an unclean face
she wore a dirty frock and she kept touching me
begging for money
i handed over ruppees and five coins
to the rick-driver, but the coins slipped from his hand
and rolled down the road
i thought now this little beggar girl will probably
pick them up and run
and i'll never be able to find her in the crowded stations
but to my amazement, she collected the coins patiently
and walked up to us and stood there with them in her open palm
with a smile on her face, handing them over to us
for a little girl, who hasn't eaten since morning,
and who probably can relax for the rest of the day with this earnings
she displayed so much character
there was such a dignity and grace in her
and at work, when we got our increment letters last friday,
we were all complaining because we always want more, More and MORE
and here, she stood with a proud elegance handing over the money, that was not hers,
with no greed and no resentment that she could have had that
or that life is being so unfair with her
what a beautiful girl she is, my little beggar girl
i happily handed over a coin to her, for this time she has more than earned it
and she ran merrily skipping by the road, not asking for more, just content with what she got!
Love
anu 5-14-2006
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