I remember my parents telling me of how life used to be then in the old days. How a stranger who was travelling could get caught in the night yet to reach his or her destination, they could easily go to any neighbouring house, knock, explain themselves and they'd be accommodated for the night. Not just that, but with good hospitality. Now, that sounds like a movie script or story in a novel, right? Perhaps, I guess. The reality is, life was like this in the old days.
Today, you don't find such things happening. At least, not for the most part. People don't really care about one another like before. I don't know if this is a demand from the modern world that leaves people acting like this, it certainly doesn't feel okay this way. We should be able to help people without even knowing them. That's how life should be. But then, we have to consider the shift; why did people become less inclined to help strangers than it used to be?
From what I shared above, you'd agree that it would be one of the rare things to see today. More than ever, there's no smoke without fire. As much as you won't see the kind of help and disposition towards strangers as before, strangers have warranted it, or humans as a whole warranted that, as we're all strangers in a new place. The “favours” some strangers have returned for the kindness shown to them helped to create this current reality.
The current reality is that helping strangers can be risky and detrimental. Coming from a part of the world where security is a serious issue, caring for and helping strangers is not without concern. People have been robbed, deceived, abused and even murdered because they wanted to help strangers. Honestly, we can't just blame people for refusing to help. There are several concerns involved. Even last night, I had doubts about attending to a stranger.
People are being super careful in the event that they want to even help strangers. It's such a sad thing that what many wish to do and what should be simple and natural has turned into a case of double-mindedness and deep thoughts. It's affecting us all one way or another; either as the one in a position to help with doubts in our hearts, or the stranger who desperately needs help but humanity has also failed him or her because of past events they didn't share in.
I won't advocate that we shouldn't help. You can be the helper today and turn out to be the stranger tomorrow. Life is funny and unpredictable. It's painful to be denied help, even when you're harmless and positive. It's also sad to be denied the blessings of helping a stranger in need when one has the heart and resources, but they fear the risk. If we decide to help, let's be careful and discerning. If we find ourselves as strangers, let's not fail to seek that help.
Image is AI generated.
