The Beggar

 

The Beggar

By Paul McCann

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeZpkmmE7hg

 

Digby woke up and put the begging jacket on his back and off he went down to one of the busy corners in the city . It was just before the morning rush hour when he sat down inside a shop doorway watching people going to work . Around his neck, suspended by a piece of string was a cardboard sign with the words,  homeless , hungry and in need  .

He called out to the first man who passed by.

”Good morning sir , could you spare a few coins?”

“Get a job “

Came the reply .

Digby immediately answered .

“I got paid off and lost my job .“

 

“It’s a hard world all right .”

Said the well dressed man .

 

“Well I don’t wish it on you sir but it could be you in my place next week or maybe your son or daughter  . You should never take anything in life for granted .“

 

That response sent a shiver through the gentleman on the pavement  who immediately put his hand in his pocket and handed over a fistful of coins to Digby and as he did he said .

 

“ That’s very true  G.ood luck. I hope things get better for you . “

Digby put the coins away isand said to himself ,

“Well that’s a good start “inside a long sock and noticed a lady approaching and he said ,

 

“Hello . Isn’t it a beautiful morning .“

She passed him by like he was invisible .

 

Digby shouted aloud  .

“:Hey you in your high heel shoes  with your nose in the air . Have you heard of heaven. ?

She stopped and looked at him .

 

Digby continued ,

“ Thank you for stopping to acknowledge my existence .“

The lady replied .

“Yes I’ve heard of heaven . Are you going there ?”

Digby smiled ,

“Of course I am . My name is Digby and I can tell by the way you talk that you’ll be going there yourself .”

 

“My name is Silvia and I am blind . The only reason I knew you were there is because you shouted out to me  . “

Digby replied ,

“Silvia, aren’t you supposed to have some sort of stick or a guide dog?”

“Why would I need anything like that . I’ve counted every step  from my flat to every corner . I know every traffic light along the way to the  railway station .  I might be blind but I see things in a different way”

“”Could you spare a few coins Silvia ?”

“So you’re a beggar ?”

“Not by choice . I’m a victim of circumstance . I came here to this city as a tourist and was robbed of all my possessions from my hotel room and I am now homeless and hungry “.

 

“I’ll have no spare change but I’ll give you some advice . Put on some  dark glasses and get a white stick . They work wonders for a beggar.”

Silva turned and walked away .

 

Digby said to himself . Now why didn.t I ever think of that ?

The next person who came along was a tall lady in her fifties as she came next to Digby he said ,

“Excuse me Mam , do you know what time it is ?”

The Lady ignored him and was about to keep walking but something made her stop  . She looked again and recognised the buttons on Digby’s jacket . Even though the jacket was worn and faded she knew those brass buttons very well because her late husband had the same jacket with the same buttons when he was a soldier , sent to fight for his country . The lady opened up her handbag and took a small bundle of notes , then she looked at her wrist watch ,

She smiled and said

“I salute you sir , its 730 am . Please get yourself some breakfast..“

She bent over and put the money inside the jacket pocket before continuing on her way .

Digby took the cash and counted out a few hundred dollars .

He said to himself , well that’s my quota for the day . No need to do anymore . He got on his feet and walked back to his flat .

 

He took off his begging clothes and went into the bathroom for a shave and a shower . Then he put the kettle on , boiled  a few eggs .

After breakfast he ironed his short and put on his suit and tie .

 

Digby grabbed his car keys , then walked out of the flat .

He opened the door of the garage and drove to his day job at

The Metro Trading Bank where he worked as manager of one of the City’s leading banks .

 

 Digby often boasted at work to all of his colleagues about the second job he had where he earned twice as much as what the bank paid  .

No one ever found out where he worked , Digby kept that secret to himself .

 

 

The End

 

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