the Euphuistic Frog

He asked me for a transit

ticket today. He was

youngish, seemed clean and

sober, his eyes clear, his hair

combed and clothes

unsoiled, and he even

pointed out that he didn’t

want spare change – just the

ticket. I can’t say that I’m

not a gullible person. I

handed him a fresh ticket

from my book, and he

thanked me and I walked

away. I don’t know what he

did with it. I don’t know if

he sold it for a buck to the

sucker behind me, or if he

actually got on the next train

and finally went home. And

I guess it doesn’t really

matter, and I guess I don’t

really care. Did I feel better

for helping a fellow human

being in need? No, not

particularly. Did it brighten

my day? Don't think so.

Next time, I think I’ll

validate the ticket first, and

then offer it, just to see what

happens. I can’t say that I’m

not a skeptical person. 

“Skepticism is a virtue in history as well as in philosophy.”  ~ Napoleon Bonaparte