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A BEGGAR AND A LADY
1. As a woman walked down thestreets one day on a cold day in February, she spotted a beggar. The man looked dirty, old, unshaven and didn’t even wear a proper coat. Every passer-by looked at him with contempt. Notlike they had anything against him, but merely because of who he was: a filthy beggar.
2. “Sir? Are you all right?” Thelady asked him. The old beggar thought that this well-dressed, obviouslywealthy lady, was mocking him. “Leave me alone!” he growled. She did not move. “Are you hungry?” She asked with a gentlesmile. “No, I’ve just had lunch with the president.” The beggar replied sarcastically.Her smile did not fade, and shetried to pick him up. “What do you think you are doing woman!” The beggar cried.
3. “Is there a problem ma’am?” a passing policeman asked. “Not at all officer. I’m just trying to get this man on his feet.” The woman replied. Surprised, the policeman said: “That’s old Jack, he has been here foryears. What have you got to do with him?” “I am taking him to the cafeteria to get warm and eat something.”- The woman answered.
4. Angry, the old beggar nowshouted: “Are you crazy!? I don’t want to go in there!” But then he felt stronghands lifting him up. “Let me go, officer. I didn’t do anything!” “Don’t blow this good chance to feedyourself Jack.”- The officer advised. Together, they dragged jack into the cafeteria.
5. “What’s going on here!? People like him are bad for business. We won’t serve himanything here!” -the manager of the cafeteria said, angrily. “Now you know why I didn’t want to come inhere woman.”- Jack said to the lady. “Now let me go!”
6. Smiling, the woman turned tothe cafeteria manager and said: “Sir, I reckon you know Eddy and Associates, the bankingfirm down the street?” “Ofcourse I do, they hold their weekly business lunches here.” The manager retorted. “I am the CEO of the company” the woman replied.“o-o-oh…” The manager stuttered, and had nothingelse left to say.
7. “Would you like a cup of coffee or a meal,officer?” She asked. “No thanks, ma’am,” the officer replied. “I’m on duty.” The lady, however, insisted that he’d at least get a cupof coffee to go, which the managerbrought to all three of them, almost instantly.
8. “You just taught him a good lesson inhospitality.” Said the officer.” Oh, that was not really what I intended.”She stared at Jack and said: “Jack, do you remember me?” “Well you do look familiar.” Jack said while examiningher face.
9. “Do you remember a cold andhungry girl who once visited this place when you worked here? She has, perhaps,grown old hasn’t she?” Jack nodded,he was speechless. “I was just graduated, unemployed and lost myapartment for I couldn’t afford therent anymore. I wandered on thesestreets looking for work for days. It was cold. One day I walked in this cafeteria, hoping to find something eatablethat my meagre budget would allow. When you saw me, you offered me the biggest roast beef sandwich ever and a good cup of coffee. You did not charge me anything.”
10. “So you started your ownbusiness?” Old Jack mumbled after along silence. “Yes, I got a job that very afternoon. I worked my way up and started my own business.” She gave him a business card and said: “Please go tothe HR manager of my company. I’llmake sure my company has a vacancy for someone just like you.” Fightingback his tears, Jack asked- “How can I ever repay your kindness?” “You don’t have to.” She said.
11. While leaving, she said: “Thankyou for all your help officer.” On thecontrary, Ms. Eddy, thank you! Also for the coffee.” “I forgot to ask you whether you used cream or sugar. That’s black. I’m so sorry.” She said, frowning. “Please don’t be! I do use more sugar than what is good for me, but this black coffeetastes as sweet as sugar.” He replied.
