Lessons in Listening when I don't know the rules

I'm never sure of the right way to respond to beggars. Some people set rules for themselves: never give; always give. I have one rule- I don't give to children who are begging at night without an adult with them. Such kids are really vulnerable and I don't want to do anything that would encourage them to be on the streets alone after dark.

One night last week I stopped at a small shop on the way home at about 8pm. A girl of about 6 years cupped her hands in front of me, looked up and asked for money. I looked into her beautiful face, smiled and said, "Sorry, little one, I'm not giving."

I packed up my purchases and started my moto again to go home. A few metres away I drove past the girls' mum. She had the exact same facial features as her daughter. I got to the nearest cross-street and had to turn back. I'm not exactly sure why because I don't have a rule for children begging on a well-lit street at 8pm with their mother supervising from a few metres. I just knew that I had to give this woman something. So I did a u-turn and approached the young mother who was wearing a thin, worn blouse and a sarong with her hair neatly pulled back from her face.

She stood with her plastic begging bowl looking slightly unsure of what to do next. I took off my motorbike helmet and greeted her politely, "Big sister, that's your daughter isn't it?" The woman gave a slight nod of the head in agreement. I tried to explain- "Your daughter asked me for money before but I didn't want to give because I thought she was alone and it isn't safe for her to be on the street at night aby herself." I continued with my hurried speech, "So I didn't give to her. But I will give to you instead."

The woman took the money that I put in her bowl and tucked it in her skirt pocket while I left not knowing whether my words meant a thing to her (or whether it sounded like a strange explanation/ confession/ justification from a mad foreigner).

Maybe there are no rules. But I'm learning that there is the inner voice that sometimes compels me to act... and this is what I will try to pay attention to in the midst of the pleas.