Image credit:  iStock Photo

Altruistic

by Hazel Ruth Mamaril - John Oliver Secondary School, Vancouver BC Jan 23, 2011
Dear Person,

You notice the unusual cloudiness of the day, but you're still determined to pursue your journey across the street to buy some milk and bread. On your walk back home, the rain starts to pour, your hair gets wet. You feel irritated, and your temper starts to get the better of you. You knew it was going to rain. Why didn't you just stay home?
 
Out of nowhere, a stranger starts to approach you. You immediately notice how filthy he looks: his clothes are dirty and ragged, his hair is long and untidy, and his smell was enough to make you scurry off, giving him hurtful looks and murmurs - all of which pertains to his appearance and condition.
 
He was homeless, a human who has been neglected since birth, nurtured in the streets. He only survives on left over food we throw away. He doesn't sleep on beds like we do; he spends his nights sleeping on cement roads with news papers as his blanket. When it rains, his only source of warmth and shelter is his ragged clothes that we judge. His unsanitary condition is caused because he doesn't shower as much as we do. He only has enough water to quench his thirst to get through hot, humid days.
 
Be thankful for your blessings, and learn to share, knowing you have more than what you need. Do some good and share a piece of bread to someone who's hungry, water for those who are thirsty and even a smile to those who are upset and gloomy, because some people in this world are just not as fortunate as we are.
 
Hazel
Comments (0)
Login or register to post comments. All comments have to go through a queue
for approval to keep the nasty stuff out, but we'll post yours as soon as we can.
Current Issue
table of contents
April 2012 Issue: Youthink Magazine
In this Issue
Past Issues
ICBC driving test tips | Youthink
5 Tips to Pass Your Road Test

Heed this advice from ICBC and you'll be in the driver's seat in no time.

Easy get in shape tips | Youthink
5 Fun Ways to Get Fit This Spring

Getting in shape doesn't have to mean toiling away in a gym.

Teen bullying | Youthink
Mob Mentality: When Bullying Becomes a Group Activity

Groups of seemingly normal boys can be just as bad as a menacing bully.