A GOOD DEED

          I would like to tell you about an event that could have been the most normal thing in the world – an event that could happen to any of us. One day I was walking on a busy city street, just killing time, window shopping and observing people, who were passing in different directions.

 Then I noticed an elderly lady standing on the opposite side of the street, looking both ways, probably about to cross it. I don’t know why I began to stare at her. Perhaps it was because she was behaving strangely. She was very busy thinking about what she was going to do. Finally she decided to move. She started to walk. Being just a few steps behind her, I saw her trip over and fall down.

 None of the passers-by reacted, each of them tried to pass her without helping. When I came closer I realised she was unable to stand up. I helped her to do so. For a few moments she had problems finding her balance; she had some blood on her lips and her hands were covered in mud.

 ‘I just wanted to go to the butcher’s over here...’ she said, hardly breathing. She must have been shocked. I helped her to wipe her mouth and hands. I stood with her for a while until she had calmed down. Then she thanked me and she went to the shop. I went on my way.

 It made me think that nowadays people are immune to the misery of other human beings. Was it so difficult to stop for a moment and help this woman? It was enough to stand with her for a minute or two, she didn’t need anything else, she wasn’t asking for money. I think that in such situations it is good to help, because in the future we might be in a similar situation and we might be the person who needs help.

 Sometimes we try to be better and we feel satisfaction when we are. It exists at a subconscious level. Being good is very easy and necessary because you never know what may happen to you...

Mariusz G.

                                                                             (Rzeszow, Poland)

Translated by Joanna Wisniewska