Yesterday, I was approached by a homeless man who was filthy, dejected, and wearing a tattered shirt and no shoes. He requested $20, and I gave him $50, to which he replied, “Thank you very much! “

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Take care of yourself!” I yelled. But he didn’t look away from me; instead, a smile spread across his face

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don’t you remember me?” he questioned.

I’m Ross, and we attended high school together.

I observed him. Dear God! Ross, I recall that you and I once battled, and you prevailed, but another time you protected me from a man who was about to strike me! What happened to you?

Sad to say, everything occurred to me, he said. That’s all that happened to me: “I joined a gang, I smoked, I drank, I slept with women, I abandoned three pregnant women, I stole, I beat people, I spent seven times in jail, my kids are a mess and don’t want me, I contemplated suicide twice, and now I’m pleading for food and drink”.

I lowered my head and said,

“How tragic!” He retorted, grinning, “I already have food for today, take care of yourself