Nostalgia 2 - My first charity

When I was a child, my understanding of God was completely different from what it is now. The large number of deities and goddesses in Hinduism did confuse me a lot. I used to think that if I worship one deity, the other deities may feel jealous or sad. So, whenever I visit a temple, I made sure I prayed to all the deities in the locality. Frankly speaking, I wasn't much interested to visit temples except during exams or for any other wishes. The other instances when I used to visit temples were when my parents force me to accompany them to the temple or when my mother compels me to visit them. I would be given some 2 rupees or 1 rupee coins to be put in the donation box (daan peti - am not sure what its exactly called). As a proof that I had visited the temple I should not have those coins with me when I return home. Ofcourse, I could have spent them on vada pavs or anything else but I had a good chance of getting caught if I did so. So, I usually avoided that risk.
One such day, out of compulsion I visted the nearby Durga Mata Mandir alone. I think the Navaratri festival was going on at that time, so there was a decent rush at the temple. I didn't want to join the rush and stayed outside the temple and offeres my prayers at the three small temples within the main temple compound, dedicated to Lord Dattatreya, Lord Hanuman and one more about whom I still have no idea. I had two 2 rupees coins and one rupee coin with me that day. I could have placed them at those small temples and that was what my decision was until my eyes caught a sight. I saw a group of beggars sitting besides the temple gate. I used to see them daily but always ignored them as I never had anything to give them. Whenever, I used to see someone giving such beggars alms or food, I used to think that someday even I would feed someone or provide them money. Till that day, I never got an oppurtunity to do so or that was what I thought. However, that day as I stood before them with 5 rupees in my hand, I thought my turn has arrived. Now, the problem was that there were many of them in that group and I was confused who deserverd the money and how much. Most of them were old and handicapped but they seemed to be unhappy with eachother arguing for space. the angry expressions on their face made me lose some of the pity I had for them.
I moved my face a bit and I saw a small boy who I was sure was younger than me by atleast 2 years i.e. he would have been around 6-7 years old. His clothes hinted me that he too was one of them although I had never seen him before unlike the others in the group. Maybe he had just joined them. I guessed he wouldn't be getting anything as he would mostly be bullied by the elders in the group. So, naturally I felt more pity for him and decided to give the money to him. However, I can't give it to him in front of them. Somehow, I managed to get those coins to him. His expressions were heartening, He accepted the money eagerly and showered blessings on me in whichever words he was comfortable in. I felt like an angel, really. I just patted his shoulders and walked back like a proud donor. I had just made my first charity. I was about to cross the temple gate when I heard a scream. I turned back and saw two boys who looked older than me holding the collar of that small boy. I guessed they were trying to get the money from him. I was shocked to hear the quality of words coming out of the boy's mouth in defence. I couldn't believe he was the same boy who just praised me with the purest words I have heard in my life. I felt more sad when I learnt from their conversation that they were his brothers. I really wished to save him. However, the fact that those two boys were elder and stronger than me made me walk. I felt sorry for the boy but I had no other option. I walked back. Thus, celebration of my first charity was shortlived.