This morning, I got on the minibus outside my apartment, just like I do every day. And, even though I often joke about Hong Kong's crazy driving, I've never actually seen a crash in Hong Kong (at least, not when it happens). But today, I did.
Actually, I didn't see the crash. I only saw the man. The car had already sped away when I saw the man fall to the ground, in the middle of the road. He seemed to be an educated businessman in his late 30's, wearing casual clothing.
He laid there, trembling slightly, bleeding from a long gash in his head. The pool of blood became bright red on the black pavement beneath his head.
And I was in the minibus, 10-15 feet away from him, just watching. And dozens of others were watching, while one man tried to help somehow, and others called the ambulance. All I knew to do was pray. I don't know Cantonese, and probably would have just confused the situation if I'd tried to get involved.
I spent an entire minute watching a man die, and I couldn't do anything to stop it.
I don't know what I could have done differently. Even if I were a Cantonese speaking doctor, I don't think I could have saved him.
But I can't watch men die and do nothing.
Actually, I didn't see the crash. I only saw the man. The car had already sped away when I saw the man fall to the ground, in the middle of the road. He seemed to be an educated businessman in his late 30's, wearing casual clothing.
He laid there, trembling slightly, bleeding from a long gash in his head. The pool of blood became bright red on the black pavement beneath his head.
And I was in the minibus, 10-15 feet away from him, just watching. And dozens of others were watching, while one man tried to help somehow, and others called the ambulance. All I knew to do was pray. I don't know Cantonese, and probably would have just confused the situation if I'd tried to get involved.
I spent an entire minute watching a man die, and I couldn't do anything to stop it.
I don't know what I could have done differently. Even if I were a Cantonese speaking doctor, I don't think I could have saved him.
But I can't watch men die and do nothing.
1 comment:
You did the best thing anyone can do for someone else. You prayed. And that is why you were there in that bus at that exact moment; someone needed to pray for that man, and you did. I realized one day that seemingly random things I witness out in public are not random at all but opportunities to pray for strangers, who may not have anyone else in this world or the next to pray for them God bless you!
Post a Comment