The torn moneyApparently times have changed and attitudes have changed with times - beggars included.
On April 27, 2009, I went to Alor Setar trying to locate LCpl Ungkok's grave so that the next day I could just drive straight to the location for the ceremony to relocate the grave. My daughter, son and son-in-law accompanied me. We went to the famous "Pasar Rabu" to have a look around and buy things that might catch the eyes. We went to buy the "ikan pekasam". What ssurprised me was the cleanliness. I didn't see a single fly! Usually "pekasam ikan" would attract swarms of flies. I do not know how they keep away the flies here.
After the shopping, we stopped over for a drink. A woman beggar came over to our table and we gave her RM2. Another elderly man came over and shoved a piece of faded photostated piece of paper to us. It was the usual sob story he was diabetic, heart ailment, high blood pressure and so on and so forth. Though no words were uttered, we knew he wanted money. I gave him back the paper, less the money.
I thought he would go to the next table after that. I was wrong. I heard him mumbling something and in the next instance he threw a shredded pieces of two RM1 note onto our table. It caught me by surprise for a fleeting second. I was surprised I didn't react, not even a faster heart-beat! Thirty years ago I might have jumped up looking for a fight. Have I mellowed? Obviously - if this was an indication. I heard the men on the other table uttering "kurang ajar betul!"
All I could think of was: "Wow! this must get a mention in my blog!"
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