Deceived by a Professional Beggar
By Zain Ullah
@zainkhan121 (859)
Pakistan
June 2, 2023 11:48pm CST
So, yesterday I was driving to work from my home when something interesting happened. I was at a roundabout, and I noticed an old man signaling for me to stop my car. Curious, I stopped and rolled down the window. The man, who looked like he was in his 70s or 80s, asked me for a ride to the next neighborhood. He said he was meeting someone there who was known for helping people in need.
He then shared a sad story with me. It turns out his son had been in an accident and had a broken back, leaving him unable to walk and confined to his bed. The old man told me he was the sole breadwinner for his family, and tears started streaming down his face as he explained everything.
I was taken aback by his story and tried to comfort him, telling him not to worry. When we reached his destination, I decided to give him 1000 rupees to help him out. However, I needed change for a 5000 rupee note, so I got out of my car and asked the guy running a nearby fruit stall for the change. While I was there, I noticed he kept looking at the old man sitting in my car.
After getting the change from the fruit stall guy, I went back to my car and gave the old man the 1000 rupees. He was overjoyed and started praying for my future success and wealth. He then got out of the car and disappeared into the crowd. As I was making a U-turn, the fruit stall guy who had given me the change approached me and asked if I knew the old man.
I told him I didn't know him and explained that the old man had been crying and asking for help. But then, the fruit stall guy dropped a bombshell on me. He said that the old man was actually a professional beggar, and everything was just an act. Apparently, he would get into any car that stopped for him, tell the same story, and manipulate the driver's emotions to get money. It was a deception that most people weren't aware of.
Since then, I've been feeling guilty. People like this old man make it harder for truly needy individuals to receive the help they deserve. My intention was to assist a poor man, and I hope I'll be rewarded for that. But I can't help feeling bad about being deceived.
6 people like this
7 responses
@Jenaisle (14078)
• Philippines
3 Jun 23
That's a sad story. The blessings and good karma will go back to you, for sure, but as for the deception, the burden of guilt is on him. He will receive his own bad karma eventually. Remember, that your intent was good and you did a generous act so for it, you will reap its good benefits in the future. Nothing is lost for you. You could earn that money back perhaps a hundred fold.
4 people like this
@AmbiePam (93898)
• United States
3 Jun 23
I understand your disappointment and your disgust with this man. However while he will someday meet a poor fate, you will find your kindness repaid. So while it is normal to feel sick at being deceived, I hope that doesn’t change your willingness to help a soul in need.
3 people like this
@zainkhan121 (859)
• Pakistan
3 Jun 23
@AmbiePam No, it won't deter me. Instead, it motivated me to extend my assistance further, but with a newfound emphasis on discerning whether someone is genuinely in need or simply putting on an act.
3 people like this
@innertalks (22088)
• Australia
3 Jun 23
It was good that your eyes were opened by the fruit stall man, as otherwise, you would really have gone on deceived, and not known about it.
The valuable lesson in the play of life, might indeed have been worth the money.
Here, in Australia, we have professional beggars too. Some have a good job at the same time, then after work, they will stay in the city, change their clothes, and beg money, for a few hours too. They can earn just as much again, as they did in their day at work.
@zhangxueying (3339)
• China
3 Jun 23
The issue of professional beggars has been reported in our news for many years, and many beggars are wealthier than our ordinary office workers. I never give them money
2 people like this
