The Beggar Poem by ROOP REKHA BHASKAR
The Beggar
A beggar limped with arms outstretched
His voice more worn, than the clothes he wore.
Ammaaa….. Dharmaaa he wailed, raking his stick across the ground.
Peering as far as his eyes could see, into our house.
He spied me standing with books and all.
My heart went woeful as no money had I
Just a compass box in my bag, to school.
I dawdled and glanced at my mother occupied,
To give alms, or old clothes, for the homeless man.
But baffled was I, when from the kitchen I heard her shout – Be gone ….
You roam and thieve through the night. Go now…..” she grumbled.
But this poor guy? why? Pass him clothes … something?
Slyly I paced to the door, motioned to him, like I would a guest,
Uttered faintly “go to the back and wait.”
Paused for mother to walk out of the spot,
Then quickly piled a cup of raw rice
And through the window … swoosh! Dumped rice, mug and all!
No proof left I, but she knew of this deed
Yet did not mouth a word or lecture.
Again next day sauntering he came to our door,
Again his mournful song rang, Ammaaa……..
This time the ‘rice trick’ would not work for me.
Quickly collected a few paisa’s; to 30 they all amounted.
Pleased, stretched out the coins to him.
Passive, he let the change drop to his muddy palm.
Looked down at them and then sneered at me;
Startled was I! to see his expression break.
He flung the coins wildly inside our door!
Rolling beneath the sofa, right up to our cat inside.
And snarled, “I’m not a beggar. Give me notes! ”
I was stumped to the ground.
The soulful Dharmaaa……rang again.
Not a word from mother but laughter loud!
Confounded, why I stole and gave,
A pound of rice to a heartless beggar,
To pound me in return for this! ! ? ?
This is not because i want to pen my might, but to share the scene between a beggar, my mother and me. I think i was 12 years then. I find it quite funny now. Acknowledge my gratitude to Valsa for bringing this memory back. Thank you.
Thank you Rupa for this wonderful acknowledgement.......! I am humbled! If that poem of mine could inspire you I am more than happy! Yes, sometimes we are inspired to write while reading others poems! Your mother was a lady having worldly wisdom and experience! As one having seen a lot of life, she could easily see into the sly nature of that man and read his intentions! As an innocent child, you failed to see his cunning nature! The response of this beggar is so typical! I too have had such experiences! Enjoyed reading this simple, engrossing poem!
Such small incidents teach us big things for life. an amusing well knitted poem. thank you.
~Thought provoking. Makes me think of an incident in a pancake house in Ghent. I was sitting there with my very young nephew. A beggar walking with a stick came to ask for alms. I gave quite a generous amount. My nephew said nothing. Then he went to the next table where he was shooed away. He stumbled outside the restaurant and 5 minutes we all saw him running in the other direction in front of the window without stick. The people at the other table made without looking at me but loud enough for me to hear some nasty comments about me. I took the opportunity to teach my very young nephew something nice, loud enough for the others to hear: There are many beggars. Some of them are really in need, some of them are just cheats. It is close to impossible to know the one from the other. Some narrow minded people take this as an excuse not to give any alms to anyone and leave the ones who really need it in their needy situation. Isn't it much better to take the risk and give anyhow, knowing that some will have cheated you and others will see a huge need filled? Of course your mother who must have known the attitude of that particular beggar was right as well, but you not knowing the beggar did the very right thing, I think. I loved reading this poem. Wonderful.
My heart went woeful as no money had I “go to the back and wait.” Quickly collected a few paisa’s; to 30 they all amounted. Pleased, stretched out the coins to him. “I’m not a beggar. Give me notes! ” To pound me in return for this! ! ? ? this was a great lesson for you my dear Roopa. But there are so many there in the world who need our help. There are also so many who cheat us. But our generosity should go on because it gives us a lot of joy. We have to be careful with people. so we learn a lot of lessons in our life. i too have such experiences in my life. thank you for putting into a poem so that we can all read it thank you Roopa. Liked it very much
This is an amusing story with moral attitude where small incidents teaches people lot. Excellent.....10
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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5/4/2024 6:31:13 PM # 1.0.0.1119
Verily, mysterious , amusing and amazing