The man

He looked to be in his fifties and was in a pair of berms with an oversized denim shirt. He had a cap and a mustache. He was also holding a pink umbrella and he spoke perfect English.

"I was on my way to meet my wife in Bt Panjang and on my way there I had to collect my mother's medicine from a clinic. However, I have 2 problems. First, I have no idea what bus to take from Bt Batok to Bt Panjang. Second, I do not have enough cash to pay for my mother's medicine. Do you think you can help me there? Does bus 187 goes to Bt Panjang? And can you spare me some money for my mother's medicine?"

"Yes, you can take 187 to Bt Panjang. How much do you need?"

"The medicine cost $15 and I have a few dollars with me. Do you think you can spare me a few dollars?"

"$5 is all I can give you"

"That would be fine. Thanks. Do you live around here so I can return you the money?"

"Forget it. Its ok."

Throughout the whole conversation, he did not look at me in the eye and was forcusing on something behind me while he was talking to me. After giving him the $5, he scooted off quickly to the bus stop to catch his bus, without even thanking me properly.

I did not know if his story was true or he was just faking it but i gave him the 5 bucks that he wanted. Call me naive or stupid, but to me $5 was just that. Its little but at least it did help this man brighten his day. Perhaps, he really did not have enough cash for the medicine for his mum although it would be really interesting to know how old his mum was at his age cos he already looked to be in his fifities, or perhaps he was really assuming that I am a naive girl and was just out to bluff me but whatever the case, my $5 was enough to make him feel happy so why not? Besides, I had some spare cash and I was in a good mood to make some people's life happy. God knows how much happiness is lacking in our cold world!