February 23, 2013
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Simple gestures go a long way, truly.
They are lost on a few but you know
that those who understand really do
appreciate your small acts of kindness.
At breakfast with a friend this morning,
a young scruffy-looking boy made his
rounds around Deen, asking for change.
He was gently reprimanded by the man
behind the till and then asked to leave.
As the boy exited through the side of
the restaurant, face burning with shame,
he passed us where we were seated to eat.
This friend of mine, God bless his heart,
followed him out to the street where he
handed the young boy some money -
hopefully enough to last him the day.
He spoke a few words before the boy
(I've never seen this before) stretched
his hands out to salaam cium tangan.
As I watched this exchange, still seated
comfortably at my table and finishing my
two plates of roti kosong with kari ikan,
I felt this kind of warmth wash over me.
I don't know why that happened, but
I'm pretty sure that was my brain
and heart reacting to what I had
witnessed. They liked what I saw.
A simple gesture of offering a little kid
some cash for the day (or, for his mother
and two younger adiks at home) may not
affect the rest of us like it does both the
giver and receiver here, but you know that
to these two, a little bit of faith was restored.
"Kenapa dia cium tangan you?" I asked,
as he sat back down and resumed eating.
"That's the way some people show thanks."
He shrugged, nonplussed. I still saw a hint
of a smile there. I knew it moved him too.
"Terharu tak?" I teased.
He put his utensils down and looked up.
"Sangat. Terasa gila, especially kat sini."
He pointed to the middle of his chest.
Oh, yes. It goes a long way, doesn't it.
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