He smelt

Smelly and unkempt, stubble more than a week old, the fellow in crumpled and torn clothes hovered near me. Tom was a homeless man and looked like one too.

Waiting for the bank to open, I had to make a deposit. My silvery hair distinguished me, perhaps. Tom approached me. He smelt bad. Backing away, I asked, "Do want to borrow my pen?"

Tom smiled, “I don't know how to read or write. Please fill the form for me, Sir. You are like a God-sent angel for me.”

Reluctantly I agreed. He said, "ask for 2000 bucks, please."

I wrinkled my nose as the stench wafted from his unwashed body. Feeling nauseated, I filled the form and gave it to Tom.

Meanwhile, I went to another counter to get my work done. Hearing an altercation, I glanced at the other counter. The teller, a young woman, was shouting, "How many times should I tell you? You must leave a balance of 1000. You have just 2400 in your account. So you can withdraw only 1400 bucks. Please write another form and give me."

Tom looked askance. "Madam, I am illiterate, I have to beg someone to write the form for me." He came to me again, hesitantly, "Sir, can you help me again, please? It seems I can withdraw only 1400 bucks."

"Wait till I finish my work," I replied turning to the bank clerk. He waited for me. I helped him again. "Thanks a lot, Sir," said Tom as he turned to the counter.

Withdrawing a safe distance from him, I watched Tom. a safe distance from Tom. Fascinated, I wondered, "what makes him tick?"

Tom clutched the cash he got from the teller. As he shuffled out, I followed him. He bought a few things from a grocery store. Feeling a twinge in his heart, I pondered "why can't I buy a few groceries for this poor fellow? God has given me enough and more money." I moved in and paid his bill.

Surprised, Tom looked at me. He fumbled as he accepted the packet. "Thank you so much, Sir. My kids will eat well today."

"How many children do you have?" I asked. Tom was happy to speak. "I have three kids, Sir. I lost my wife last year and I am struggling alone. I cannot hold a job. The benefit I get is just enough for us to eat one meal a day. Today we can eat two meals, thanks to you. May God bless you, Sir!"

Back home, I looked at the well-laden dining table. Vegetables, fruit, meat and lamb, all were available to us. In fact, sometimes they had to throw away food as it got spoilt.

Sharing this with my wife and son that night, I said, "let's cook a sumptuous meal and take it to Tom's family, next Sunday, we should learn to share and care for such people. Don’t you agree? "

Come Sunday, we shared and enjoyed doing it.