The Old Man

Going from one side of the road

On my scooter with my mom

Saw an old man, with half bent back

A stick in hand and childlike innocence

On his face

He asked for lift

Waving the stick in the air

We had no time

{Not for the poor old weak man}

And ignored him

Without reducing the scooter’s speed

After 5 minutes, I and mom

Both were guilty

Why we didn’t stop

How insensitive could we?

After dropping mom

I returned through the same way

But from the other side of the road

10 minutes passed

But he (old man) was standing on the same side

In the same position

In the need of help

This time I stopped

Crossed the road, and asked

What he needs?

He was going to see a doctor

With a little money in hand

Unable to walk

For about 2 miles

Neither any bus nor any person

Stopped for him

He was too weak

To sit on my scooter

But this time I was determined to help

I stood beside him

After another 15 minutes

A van stopped

(This time, thankfully)

The driver was ready to let him sit

While I was expecting people to stop

And help him

The old man’s eyes were shining

He needed help

Waited for a long time

On the roadside

But I didn’t find any sign of expectation

In his eyes