Author Information
HE SHUFFLED HIS FEET
He shuffled his feet as he walked by them and the boy’s eyes quickly gave him a scan
then he nudged his father and asked him, “What’s wrong with that old man?”
“What do you mean?” His father replied in a voice understanding yet strong.
“You only looked at him for a second…why do you think there’s anything wrong?”
“Look at the way he shuffles along.” the boy said “look how he walks along the street.”
“Is he so old and lazy that he can’t pick up his feet?”
The boy’s dad frowned, he grabbed his son’s shoulders then he got down on his knees…
“Beware of judging others,” he said, “only by what you see.”
“You should never judge someone you do not know…
by the way they walk or the color of their skin…
for you don’t know their story…
You don’t know where their feet have been.”
“At first glance you cannot know the burdens one carries.
You don’t know their joys, their sorrows…their scars…
When you see them passing by you
you have no way of knowing who they are.”
“You have to make a choice,” he said,
“each day as you begin your climb…
You can judge others…
or you can love others…
but you can’t do both at the same time.”
Then the father took his son’s hand,
quickly walking him down the street…
until they caught up and had a conversation
with the old man who shuffled his feet.
