As I tumbled my way towards the traffic junction -swaying my white cane carefully on both sides to avoid obstacles - I heard a voice from behind urging me to stop. "The signal is not off," the man warned. "Wait, I will help you cross the road."

I paid heed to the warning and waited for him to hold my arm and walk me to the other side. "A beggar I think," said another man who took over my arm from him. "Hope he hasn't asked you money." I felt repulsive. Imagination ran wild --what infections did he carry? Suddenly I was reminded of all the bad things I heard about beggars -unclean, dirty people suffering from infectious diseases ….

As I cleared my mind from preconceived ideas, the only thing that lingered was the man's timely offer of help. Despite his own struggles that normally wouldn't allow any space in the mind to think of other people, he saw a blind man stagger his way towards the signal and helped out of concern. Such unconditional kindness needs appreciation and certainly can't be repulsed at. Besides, I wondered if he should be considered a beggar just because he doesn't have money. Most of the times, we come across beggars of a spiritual kind - what Osho would call beggary of the soul in showing love and kindness towards others. And I myself have encountered them. 

Every morning, when I walk towards the same traffic signal, I would wait for someone to lead me to the other side. I could hear footsteps of people passing me from behind and hurrying to the other side, but no offer of help would come. When it eventually comes, it would be mostly from the so-called ordinary folks - pavement vendors, traffic cops, construction workers- folks who we would normally dismiss as illiterate and unsophisticated, but those who would instinctively help people in need.

I felt ashamed of my repulsion for that man and realised that such thoughts would only make me unworthy of such small mercies. After all, in my case, these are not mere small mercies, but vital assistance that sometimes save me from imminent dangers in a chaotic cityscape.

I feel these helping hands are secret assurances from god that life is still worth living and its essence lies in hope and goodwill. Blindness has created an equal world around me, a world in which I cannot discriminate people, but still can appreciate their uniqueness. This incident has merely illustrated why I should be glad about the equal world god has provided for me.