Robin Hood

On the flight to Delhi, my friend and I stole the purple pillow and blanket from Singapore Airlines, thinking that we could use it during our journey in Nepal and India. The stolen goods had proven to be very useful indeed, especially when the pillows in the guesthouses we stayed in were flatter than a naan bread.

Towards the end of our journey, we no longer need the pillow and blanket anymore. I suggested that we donate them to the homeless people on the street, imagining that we were Robin Hood, stealing from the rich to benefit the poor.

To our dismay, it's a heroic act turned awry. We bumped into the 'lucky' beggar on a back street of Delhi. As soon as I made eye contact, she came over to grab my hand and begged. I opened my bag, instead of money or food, I pulled out first a pillow, and then a blanket and handed them to the beggar. She took them but didn't look too grateful. My gesture attracted the attention of other beggars on the street nonetheless. Before I knew it, the whole troop of beggars were surrounding us and grabbing our arms or touching our hands to beg for food and money. Even Robin Hood wasn't prepared to help a whole 'kampung' of beggars! We had no choice but to run!

We ended up being chased by a kampung of beggars down the street, and the more persistant ones even followed us for the next 2 streets! What an experience!

Now come to think of it, I guess Robin Hood should have given the beggars food or money instead of non-essential things as what bothered them most at that point of time must be hunger, not creature comfort 'luxury' items like pillows and blankets.

Sorry for being such a thoughtless 'urban' Robin Hood...

Our beloved purple pillow that had seen us through our incredible journey in India & Nepal