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Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Modern-day parable

I was standing for an hour in the cold, collecting in Piccadilly Circus station this morning for MIND. Of course I was there to raise money for charity, but it certainly was an interesting social experiment.

As I stood there, watching all the well-heeled people with jobs pass me by, with very few stopping (and the vast majority of those who stopped were middle-aged men in suits) I was aware of someone shuffling up to me: an old man, matted hair, very shabby clothes, crawling slowly along on crutches. But he wasn't trying to pass me by like the rest of them: balancing on one crutch, he reached into his dirty pockets, pulled out all the change that he had and put it into my collecting tin.

The Lord Jesus Christ was once standing in the temple in Jerusalem. His disciples watched people walk past the treasury box. A poor widow - no welfare state then - came and dropped in two small, copper coins. Jesus turned to his disciples and said: "You see this poor widow? She has given more than all the others. They gave out of their vast wealth, but she, out of her poverty, gave all that she had." (Mark 12:41-44)

This is the link to my fund raising site: Simoney's Mind Sponsorship Site

Thank you for stopping by

12 comments:

Gorilla Bananas said...

Amen, Mermaid. The middle-aged guys may have stopped because they fancied you as well.

lilith said...

Gorilla, a hot young man was how Greenpeace got a standing order out of me...and the Red Cross for that matter...

Perhaps the middle aged men fear that they may need the services of Mind sometime soon. Lord help anyone looking for mental health help from the NHS. Good cause Merms.

Sen. C.R.O'Blene said...

Are you there today Merms?

Nice story that...

Electro-Kevin said...

You're a good sort.

;-)

Anonymous said...

dear ms mermaid....I was that old man.

to be honest, I didn't have my specs on and I thought you was that old slapper doris who'll do anything for 20p. imagine my horror as i stood there waiting for a blow job round the back of tie rack, and realised i had downed my last few coopers in a collection tin FFS. i can tell you, it sent me quite mental, something you profess to be against i may add.

i've been on medication ever since, and i have lodged a complaint with the bbc's watchdog show, so do not expect to get away with this lightly.

bernie

Daisy said...

I wasn't there either mermaid...well until around lunch time to meet you...and you were so lovely...i can't imagine everyone stopping...

Tuscan Tony said...

"an old man, matted hair, very shabby clothes, crawling slowly along on crutches."

You just me The Hitch, merms.

Trubes said...

Hey Mermies: Where are you?
Your comments are sadly missed on my site, so, swish your tail around and swim over right now!

Hope you are well and happy.

If you e-mail me your address I will gladly send a cheque for your charity thingy in Cuba.
I am nothappy about putting my financial details on t'internet.

Lots of love and hugs,

Di.xx

P.S. Chloe sends her best whiskerishes to Monty too! purr purrr....zzzzznn...purrrr..zzzzzzn

drevetailimin said...

At least I have hair to be "matted" TT
I hate Chuggers with a passion that goes beyond my desire for women, alcohol and cars.
I choose whom I wish to give to.

Anonymous said...

MIND have helped me a lot over the years... where are you Mermy One Kenobi? We need your wisdom...

The Old Tarf said...

hey, a new post please or call me. Merry Christmas

Electro-Kevin said...

Happy Christmas wherever you are.

Do remember to report to us about your adventure.

E-K