When I parked my car about a mile from the Sri Lanka Buddhist Temple, I realised I have three bags of gear in my car. Had no choice but to squeeze all into the largest bag and carry it with me. I was complaining about the long walk in the hot sun when I met a lady with no feet.

Wheelchair-bound Pauziah told me she suffered from bone cancer and had her legs and fingers amputated. Because her arms are weak, she saved for an electric wheelchair by selling packet lunch door-to-door in the area. Now that she owns one, the spinster found out it will cost more than a thousand ringgit to replace the battery when it eventually fails. Thus, she is seeking donations.

I am normally quite skeptical of panhandlers but after a half-an-hour chat by the roadside, the lady seems quite genuine. She’s a philosophical, cheerful and positive person. Made me feel like a worthless amoeba for complaining earlier.

Olympus OM-D, ISO 200, f9, 1/200 sec.