TO GIVE OR NOT TO GIVE

I saw this Chinese beggar at the Kampung Cina Morning Market last Thursday.  He was lying on his belly on a piece of cardboard and his extended left hand was holding a small blue pail to beg for money.

Pitiful, isn't he?  His right arm and right leg were missing which rendered him handicapped.  Well, did you know that when he realised that I had taken his photographs from the light of my flash, he stared at me.  After that I went into the market to buy some plants for the orphanage.  When I came out, I realised that he was not there.  On my way to my car, I realised that he was standing at the entrance to the market with the help of his crutches.  He recognised me and gave me a hard stare.  At that time, I felt a bit scared as I knew that such people were part of a syndicate and he might have summoned for help.  I quickly walked with a few Malay men who were leaving the market, walked straight to my car, got in, locked it and drove away. 

The moral of the story is that we shouldn't let our feelings of sympathy be played upon by some unscrupulous people for the sake of making money.  Remember the story of Faith the Dog?  He had only two legs and was able to make himself useful.

Here are a few articles on handicapped beggars whose limbs were chopped off by members of a syndicate so that they can make money for them. 
Click on the URL to read the stories.

DOCS CHOP OFF LIMBS FOR BEGGARS
http://www.dalitnetwork.org/go?/dfn/news/docs_chop_off_limbs_for_beggars/

SYNDICATED BEGGING
http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/2112550.aspx

BEGGARS: TO GIVE OR NOT TO GIVE?
http://www.thingsasian.com/stories-photos/1832