Yesterday, a homeless man who was dirty and sad came up to me

Yesterday, a homeless man approached me, looking filthy and dejected, asking for $20. I gave him $50, and to my surprise, he smiled and said, “Thank you very much! Don’t you remember me?”

It turns out, he was Ross, a classmate from high school. I was shocked as I recalled the times we fought, but he had once protected me. Now, his life had taken a tragic turn. He confessed, “I joined a gang, smoked, drank, slept with women, abandoned three pregnant women, went to jail seven times, and now I’m begging for food.”

He walked away nervously, leaving me reflecting on why our lives turned out so differently. I realized the answer: my parents. They were strict, setting rules and schedules, while his upbringing lacked discipline.

“My parents were the worst in the world,” I thought, but now I see they gave me a foundation. I was forced to follow rules, eat healthy, and respect authority. Ross had none of that.

In the end, I’m grateful for my strict upbringing. It shaped me into who I am, while Ross, without that guidance, lost his way. As I reflect, I thank my parents and conclude, “How can we change this breaking world? Educate the child.”