You Are No Better Than Bankrupt Drug Addicts

In fact, you might be worse.

Photo by Matt Collamer on Unsplash

One day, a long time ago in India, a young girl of about twelve pawed her grubby hands at my uncle’s blue suit jacket. She was begging for money for food, her dress torn and knotted at the end, and her hair grimy. On one hip, she balanced a boy, no older than five, skinny but with round cheeks and dark, tear-stained eyes. I was also twelve…