Learning.....

I must say that every time the holy month for the Muslims comes i.e. the Ramadan, I really enjoy spending time at Pasar Ramadan. Not only it is filled with the wondrous sights, colors and culinary palate, it is the vibrancy of the atmosphere that usually wet my appetite. You see, you get an assortment of dishes and local cakes and cuisines that you don't normally see on normal days. It is so hard to describe them. Somehow, the unique dishes and long forgotten food stuff such as the local kuih-muih will somehow appear. It is like seeing dying art of kuih being revived while unique dishes are dished out every evening. Somehow the culturally rich Malay dishes and sweeteners permeates the bazaar-like atmosphere. 

I went to one bazaar in which I shall leave unnamed one evening as I wanted to sample some special barbecue chicken known as ayam percik locally. I know that I could get this locally anywhere but somehow, the ones in the Ramadan bazaar would taste much better because of the seller's own secret recipe to this dish. Afterall, I am one that would always try to get into new flavours and challenge my tastebud a bit.

I noted that there was this pakcik gabbed in a worn T-shirt and long pants in front of me who was walking very slowly along the road. He had a rather old looking motorcycle helmet anchored on his v-shaped left arm and he really looked worn out. With crowds moving around in a slow pace at the bazaar, I too slowly inched my way to the stalls while having a look at the food galore in store for my gastronomical delight. Then, the pakcik stopped as he reached the ayam percik stall and so did I. I then inched my way through politely and pick out my ayam percik just as the pakcik did. I saw that the pakcik picked up two chicken pieces and took out some cash to pay for it. Then , I could hear the seller telling the pakcik the price of the chicken pieces and that he had given not enough cash for the chicken pieces. Trying to mind my own business, which I obviously could not, I could hear the young seller telling the pakcik that the cash is RM 1.00 short. The poor pakcik tried explaining to the young man that he had not enough and if he would sell him a smaller piece of chicken for the cash he had which was RM 4.00. Surprising , the young seller was adamant at RM 5.00 for the chicken pieces and the seller then took a piece of chicken out and return the balance of RM 1.50 to the old man. I could see that the pakcik was quite dejected but he put on a brave front. He then said to the seller that he wanted to buy the chicken piece for his children. He kinda pleaded politely with the seller but the young man would not budge one bit. I was really pissed by this time. I picked up two pieces of chicken , gave the young man  the cash and gave a piece of my mind. I said to the young man in BM and translated as follows:  " (A)Bang, isn't this the holy month? Can you not show some good spirit for this old pakcik?" I guess, the young man was embarrased a bit but I could see how pride does get in the way. He kept a blank face and continue doing his stuff. I know, deep in him, I have hit a raw nerve. Not to cause unneccessary scene, I just took the pakcik one side and gave my ayam perciks to him. The pakcik told me that I didn't have to do that but I said to him that it is okay with me. Yunno, he said this to me, " Terima kasih, nak. Pakcik memang tak cukup duit tadi. Cuma teringat anak-anak di rumah menanti berbuka. Itu saja. Terima kasih atas budi baik kamu." I told him it's nothing and I got to know him as Pakcik Hamid as we walk down the road. I also came to know that he is a general worker/odd job worker with 3 young children. He did not complain to me about anything but just kept thanking me. I told him I am alright and that I have suddenly lost interest in getting ayam percik. He looked at me with grateful eyes and I bid farewell to him as I weaved through the stalls to see what were in offering at the stalls. He then walked back to where his motorcyle was situated.

I suddenly lost interest in the bazaar as I thought of what had happened while I took about 10 paces. I know that everyone is out there to do business but there are times, one has to gauge the genuine case from the opportunity reapers. Again, one would say that it is hard to determine which is genuine and which is fake, right? Again, is it difficult to really be charitable a bit at times? I am sure as we debate on this matter , there would be no end to this.

As I walked back to my car, I saw Pakcik Hamid riding his old Yamaha m/cycle with his three pieces of ayam percik hanging by the left side handle. I smiled, got into my car, switched on the engine and Dr.Ravi Zacharias voice on my car stereo boomed, " We need to change on the inside of us, so that we can affect the outside of us....." How true! How very true!