Bradford Lad: The Beggar
Beggars may sometimes be the givers of gifts, as Mike Coatesworth's tale reveals.
While I was sitting in my garden early this morning, hardly a sound could be heard in the darkness that surrounded me. In the distance, street lights shone like tiny white dots in a night sky.
The whole area was completely still; save for a slight breeze, carrying with it the strong scent of pine trees. There was not a sound from the wildlife. I enjoyed the peaceful setting. Being up so early reminded me of when I was a lad, starting work at five am in a local bakery. There were no buses at that time of a morning. I had to walk three miles to work. I enjoyed walking along the dark and quiet roads.
One day as I was walked along, not looking forwards to the noisy clatter of bread pans and trays at ther bakery, a man who was sixty if he was a day appeared out of nowhere as I turned a corner.
"Can you spare me sixpence for a cup of tea?" he asked.
He looked as if he hadn't had a decent feed in days. I gave him my sandwiches in my lunch box, and threepence for a cup of tea.
He took the sandwiches, thanking me with tears in his eyes. He then asked for my name and address, saying he would pay me back. With reluctance, I gave him these details, saying I wanted no payment for the sandwiches. Then I went on my way to work.
Two weeks later, when I arrived home from work, a letter and a package were waiting for me. The letter contained a a sheet of paper on which were two words. Thank you. There were also two ten pound notes. The packaged contained food. Special treats.
There was no name or address on the note in the envelope. I assumed it was from the man who had stopped me when I was on my way to work that dark morning.
For months after that I looked out for him when I was on my way to work, but I never saw him again.
One morning I heard a man whistling happily, and I like to think it was him.
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