Lesson in a Beggar's Smile

We all have gifts to share. He gave what he had.

You’re walking with your child and just ahead on the corner, you see a beggar sitting and holding a cup.  He smiles when someone puts money in his cup. He smiles even when they don’t put money in his cup.

What should you tell the child, who is more than a little curious?  There could be a life lesson in it for them, a loving lesson that may not come again. 

I answered my little girl’s questions. I wanted to help her understand that Everyone is Someone.   Every person has a story.  We should never judge anyone, because we don’t know their story.  

He may be very happy doing what he does, giving a smile to everyone he sees. Then again, he may not be there because he wants to be.  He might not feel he has any other choice. Still, he shares what he does have, a gentle smile.

How people live their life is very personal.  It belongs to them. We all have gifts to share and he is sharing one of his with all of us.

We spoke to him.  “Hello.  How are you this morning?”

“Fine, ma’am, thank you.”

I wish I could thank him, because he inspired this poem.

Mr. Beggar Man
by C.J. Heck

You were a gentle soul,
in a stained red plaid shirt,
hat speckled with bird poop,
saggy-baggy pants that stopped
above two heelless shoes
see-through to feet
with no socks.

So many mornings
I walked by your corner
putting money in your cup,
to borrow a smile when
I had none left of my own.
I always knew the one you gave
would be the one that found
those I misplaced for a while.

Countless times
we shared a lunch,
as did many others,
hot soup from the deli
across the street
or half a tuna sandwich
I brought from home.

You shared your wooden pallet
but never a conversation,
and all the while,
you never missed a beat
as you passed out
your glorious smile
to everyone
who hurried by.

I wonder what happened
in your life
to make you
take up residence
on that corner,
to die cold and alone,
the smiles you apportioned
your only living legacy?

You will be missed by many,
even the shopkeepers
who shooed you away.
I wish you had known
what you meant to me
… and I never even knew your name.

Poet/Writer/Author of 5 books.
Quora Top Writer 2018.
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