Beggars CAN be choosers

As I was walking to the T this morning, I saw an old man standing at a corner holding up a sign that read "Help." Beside him lay a rolled up dirty sleeping bag, soiled beyond its original white, and a box covered with plastic bags. I felt bad for him - an old man begging out in the cold - and decided to bring him back something to drink and eat. As I approached him with some hot cocoa and a coffee roll, he tried to avoid my gaze. "Would you like some hot cocoa and a fresh coffee roll, sir?" I asked, presenting him with the bag and cup. "I don't like coffee," he responded. "OK. But this is hot cocoa," I said as I handed him the cup. I reached into my pocket and handed him a dollar bill. He looked at me and said "Thank you."

As I walked away, the coffee roll tucked into my bag, I found myself amazed at the man's refusal of food. Here was a man - homeless, begging and, undoubtedly hungry - who would refuse food because it wasn't something he would prefer to eat. I would imagine that, if I were in his place, I would accept whatever anyone would give me to eat since I wouldn't be sure when I would get my next meal. Beggars, after all, can't be choosers, right? Apparently, not in his case.

I still want to help out the homeless whenever I can. I know that man had enough pride to say no to something he truly did not want. Maybe the next homeless person I offer a coffee roll to will gladly accept it.