In the modern context, beggars are not mendicants or supplicants. They may, more often than not, be in a position to distribute largesse, be capable of endowments, charity, bestowals, grants and dole. But when it comes to certain instances, they are at the opposite end of the spectrum.
To illustrate the point, let me take the case of the domestic help. She knows all her rights. She is a law unto herself, calling all the shots and we, mere mortals, timidly run to do her bidding. She is neither punctual nor regular. We tolerate that. She asks for an advance which is mostly non-returnable. Being totally at her mercy, the employer will ply her with goodies to keep her in good humour. It's a classic case of beggars not being choosers.
When the cover of our sump was stolen, it created an emergency. All the tragic stories of little children drowned in open sumps and wells made us keep an all-night vigil. Getting a new cover proved to be a Herculean task. To begin with, we had to find the plumber. His telephone went unanswered and his mobile was switched off. My brother managed to buttonhole him just as he was opening his shop. He made a big fuss about being very busy. My brother coaxed and cajoled, pleaded and beseeched. With the air of one granting a royal favour, he got into the car. After the high and mighty soul had taken the measurements, my brother drove him to the hardware store, got what was required and, on his advice, went to a welder for a locking device to thwart future thefts.
All the while, he kept glancing at his watch and muttering about how time-consuming the work was... With the collaboration of a mason associate of his, the job was done – not satisfactorily but at least completed – by dusk.
When asked for the charges, the plumber mentioned a staggering sum. Meekly, we coughed up the cash, physically exhausted and monetarily depleted. After that, there was a general explosion of indignation and frustration. None of us had had the courage to protest though we knew we were being fleeced. If this isn’t beggars not being choosers, what is?
