On a clear May morning, one young man saw a man about his age near the wall of the park, begging for alms. Next to him stood a poster, which was a handwritten inscription on a piece of board: “I am blind.” This plea clearly did not touch the hearts of the residents and tourists of the big city who hurriedly passed by. Apart from a few coins, the begging bowl was empty.
Touched by this sad sight, the passer-by thought about what this unfortunate young man was deprived of on such a wonderful day, and approached the beggar.
“I can’t give you money,” he explained guiltily to the beggar, “because I myself have been unemployed for several months.” But if you don't mind, I can help you in another way. I would like to make some changes to your request for help.
The surprised beggar hesitated for a while and then shrugged:
- Okay, do what you want. But I must tell you that there are hardly any words that can arouse pity among the residents of this city for another beggar.
The young man took a marker from his pocket, wrote a few words on the poster and continued on his way.
At the end of the day, he was returning through the park and, passing a beggar, noted with satisfaction that the new poster had proven its effectiveness in opening the hearts and wallets of passersby. The bowl was full of money, not only small coins, but even five and ten dollar bills.
“Things have gone much better for you,” he said to the beggar.
“Exactly,” he answered, and then, recognizing the young man’s voice, he asked, puzzled: “What did you do with my poster?”
“I just added a few words,” explained the passerby. - But nothing that would be untrue. Now it says: “I’m blind - and it’s such a wonderful day outside...”
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru