Everyone looked at him in disgust as he scavenges empty tin cans from trash bins. A 40 year old man, perhaps even younger than his appearance, looking scrawny and thin. Behind him is a young boy; kids at his age should be in primary school at broad daylight. These two diligently searches as they try not to disrupt the surroundings, stopping for a few seconds at a time just to catch their breath. They are used to being glared by the other people who felt superior than them.

“Papa, I managed to loot quite a lot of cans today”. Cheerfully the boy said to the man. “I hope this is enough for you to eat more food, I don’t like it when you give me all the meats and veggies while you only eat rice and soup, papa. That’s not fair!”

“Oh my dear Mikky... You’re still growing up you need more nutrients than I do. I’m already all grown up so I don’t need all those fancy stuff, as long as I’m full and I can see you’re eating well I’m already happy my dear son.” The old man replied, as he pats the boy’s head. Anyone who see this scene would be able to know how deeply he cherished and loved the boy. Even though the man was scrawny and thin, the boy looks fit and healthy even though he’s dirty.

The father and son walks towards the back door of a restaurant, while wearing tattered clothes. A worker can be seen washing dishes from the backdoor of the restaurant. She noticed the homeless old man and looked at him in the eyes.

“Good day to you ma’am.. Is it possible if we purchase some food? But I only have RM3 could you put the portions for us? Even if it’s just rice and soup with a glass of water...”

The worker ignored the old man at first, but then she noticed the boy, with glittering, hopeful eyes. The worker sighed, and she went towards her boss for permission. After a while, she came back with two plates of rice, having greenish-yellow gravy on top of them, with a few small pieces of chickens cooked in the same gravy and some vegetables. The worker invited them to the restaurant but the old man refused.

“Thank you so much for the offer but the others might not be comfortable when they see a homeless man eating in your restaurant. We do not wish to burden anyone.” The old man tries to hand over the money at the worker but she refused to take them.

The worker shrugged as she brought water to them and said “The first meal has been paid by the boss. Also, since you’re considered as a customer, you should know that plain waters are free here, just tell me if you want more.” she hurriedly went to continue her errand after putting the water on the road, just beside where the two homeless are eating.

“Listen son, no matter what you do in this world, always be polite to others, and don’t cause any disturbance. It’s fine if they hate us but we should not reply with hatred. We might not have any wealth but we’re not animals. I am unable to provide comfortable living conditions to you but I hope that you understand.”

Mikky understood completely all of his father’s teachings and he considered each of his words to be a gift. His father never neglect to show him the way of scavenging from dumpsters and foraging from the nearby forest. His father has been through a lot of hardship but he never chose to abandon his son. Unlike his mother who abandoned them for another man and yet, his father always reminded him to never hate anyone else no matter how they treat you. He smiled and nodded. “Yes Papa!”