Beggars can be choosers
Tue Feb 7, 2012 11:53:05 pm

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I watched a homeless man on the train talk to himself. He seemed to be arguing with himself about which side of the train would be best for starting. I assumed he was referring to which side to address his begging. This suspicion was verified when he started begging on only one side of the train.

Since he seemed to be genuinely in need, and I had plenty of groceries, I decided to give him something. I thought that the box of Ezekiel cereal would be the best choice, because it doesn't require any cooking or refrigeration. He was hesitant to accept the box of cereal because he thought it had already been opened. I was holding it at the top, which is empty and easily crushed. After I changed my grip and reshaped the box to show him that it was a new unopened box, he gladly accepted it.

After he finished begging on both sides of the train, he sat down and spent several minutes opening the package of cereal. I watched him eat two handfuls. After that, he repackaged the cereal and came back to me to inform me that he didn't like the cereal. He offered to give it back to me, but I did not accept it. He said he would throw it away if I did not take it back. I agreed to that. At the next stop, he tossed it onto the platform and returned to his seat.