I sometimes wonder what it would feel like if I lost my home and had to go out onto the streets to fend for myself.
The humiliation of being thrown out of my home would be one thing. The heartbreak of leaving behind the things I cherished the most, such as family and companionship, would be another.
Being totally uprooted, I would be left to wonder the streets, not knowing where to go or where to turn. With hundreds of unkind faces staring at me, judging me, when they don't even know who I am or where I come from.
I reckon it must take a lot of courage for a beggar to ask someone for their help, knowing fine well that most of the time they will be given the cold shoulder. I think most of us take for granted that there is always someone in our lives we can ask for help. Even if they might not be able to, at least they care about us enough to acknowledge us.
One thing a beggar will quickly recognise is kindness when they see it: the couple who stopped by to chat. The lady who brought them a sandwich to eat. For them, one single act of kindness would be like the sun coming out and shining on them all day.