The community don’t want you to help. It’s frowned upon by the local authorities to give money to beggars. It’s seen as supporting the trade. And how was I to know his controller wasn’t nearby, watching from a distance? How could I know he wasn’t simply acting out what he had been taught?

Then he said, “Daddy,” and kept drilling into me with those huge, dark eyes. My heart began to soften — a small crack formed. But there were authorities nearby, and I dared not hand him money.

This little ragged boy stood in the middle of a crowd. Yet no one noticed him. He had needs. He was so small. And still, he seemed invisible.

He had my eye. He had my attention. But what could I do?

If this little boy stepped onto the main street of my city, community workers or local helpers would quickly intervene. They would see him. They would stop him from approaching strangers. They would talk with him, learn his story, and provide care. They would give him safety.

But here, he was invisible. No one even bothered about him or gave him a second thought.

I entered the park. I saw families everywhere. Children playing. Children in clean clothes, with pets, toys, shoes, and trendy caps. I watched them enter a playground they had paid to access.

I didn’t see that little boy anymore. I only saw the well-dressed children.