In a gutter's embrace, the drunkard lay, His visage obscured by mire's array,
He wept to the passers-by, their steps quick and cold,
Begging for sustenance, a dime, a morsel to hold.
"Alone in this world," he muttered in despair,
Jobless, homeless, life's burdens too much to bear,
Drunk and defeated, his voice cracked and low,
A tale of woe that only he'd know.
Amidst this tableau of sorrow and plight,
A little girl emerged, a beacon of light,
She approached with compassion, devoid of disdain,
A glimmer of hope in a world filled with pain.
From her pocket she drew forth a nickel so bright,
An offered so modest, yet shining so right,
She bestowed upon him this treasure so small,
A gesture of kindness that humbled him all.
Tears welled in her eyes, innocence pure,
Her heart reached out, her intentions so sure,
The drunkard gazed up, his vision now clear,
Moved by this child's compassion so near.
With gratitude trembling, he clutched he coin's edge,
"Thank you, little girl," he managed to pledge,
His steps were unsteady, as he rose from the muck,
A glint of redemption, a moment of luck.
The little girl journeyed on, her purpose unknown,
A seed of compassion in her actions had sown,
Yet the drunkard's heart stirred, a change taking place,
A longing for healing, for a better embrace.
He sought out a mission, took steps to amend,
The path he'd been traveling, the darkness to mend,
He found himself work, a place to call home,
A pledge to sobriety, no more to roam.
The grip of addiction, once fierce and unbound,
Now loosened its hold, as healing was found,
The little girl's kindness, forever imprinted,
A catalyst for change, his past now acquitted.
Years passed by, and his life took a turn,
The lessons he'd learned, the knowledge he'd earn,
For he knew in his heart, as he looked back in time,
That even a nickel can be a reason to climb.
That small act of kindness, that innocent grace,
Had sparked transformation, in life's intricate maze,
He lived by example, his story a guide,
A testament to the potential that compassion provides.
Thus, let this tale remind us anew,
Of the impact we wield, in actions we do,
For the smallest of gestures, the compassion we share,
Can lift up a soul from depths of despair.
f
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