The Helping Hand

A pair of hands slithered through the train window and tugged at Souvik's shirt. The boy showed Souvik his right palm and then took it to his mouth and then outstretched it again. The boy had torn clothes and was covered with dirt. Then he held the window railings and stared at Souvik. Souvik reached for his purse, telling himself that this was the last beggar he was helping.

At the next station, Souvik got off the train to stretch himself. There at the bench, sat that boy smoking a bidi. Souvik approached the boy and asked, "Is that what you did with the money I gave you? That bidi?"

The boy stared back, not giving any signs of recognition. Then he got up and sprinted past Souvik pushing him as he ran. The boy then jumped across the tracks and was gone.

At the next station, a woman carrying a child on her lap asked Souvik for alms. He looked at her and then the child. Then he frowned and reached for his purse, telling himself that this was the last beggar he was helping. But Souvik's purse was gone.