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A Vagabond, Not James Bond


A vagabond is walking many years in his life. An orphan since childhood, adopted by different sponsors and lived in different places. He is already twenty-one when he saw more homeless people walking everywhere. He continued walking in the next five years, burning his skin under the sun. A year later, he thought of running, other than swimming, to enhance his stamina. In the school area where he is running each day, he saw a lot of students walking around. After ten thousand rounds, he stopped running because more people are staring at him. He said to himself, "I can't go on running anymore... I want to study again and be the good the person I used to be!" He went to different schools nearby to inquire. One of those schools admitted him for college. He started working part-time and within three months he was able to rent a small room instead of sleeping every night outside in the cold. Four years later, he graduated in college. He didn't attend the Graduation Day because he doesn't have extra money to celebrate with his friends and classmates. Instead, he spent the small amount of money that he was able to save, only to travel. He returned to some old houses and visited the people who adopted him. One by one, he searched them -- telling them that he has done something good for himself after many years of dependence. Knocking at the door of the last house where he stayed sometime ago, an old woman opened the door for him and asked, "Who are you?..." The once orphan and vagabond replied, "I am the one you once adopted many years ago when you lost your son years before I arrived in this house." "I remember you," said the old woman ... hugging the young man so tight. "I am almost blind now. I can hardly see your face even with my glasses on." The young man said, "I am here to repay your kindness. And if you will allow me, I want to stay with you." The old woman sobbed, "Yes. I am still alone in this house. And I thank God for having you here again!..." Years passed and the old woman gradually regained a better eyesight. She is still undergoing treatment at present, hoping to do more for other orphans roving in the streets. She felt reborn again, seeing and feeling the beauty and kindness of the world.

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Book: Shattered Sighs