It had been the worst three years of his life.
Things had kind of piled up on him during his youth. Then, finally, it had all caught up with him. The conviction… it was this that had brought home to him the undeniable fact that he had taken the wrong path, but now… he was out! Out from the cage that the authorities had held him in. During those final few months, he had made up his mind to leave his old life behind. Could he really turn it all around? These were the thoughts that swamped him as he rode the bus into town. The world beyond the window looked so good, so inviting. Could he stay out there, living an honest life, knowing right from wrong, choosing the right path?
As he stepped down from the bus, he was amazed at how busy the streets were, with people hurrying along, all going about their daily lives. Lives that didn’t involve crime. Simple, happy lives. He enjoyed being jostled along by them; being with them, being part of a normal society. His head was swimming with such thoughts, together with the joy he felt for his new found freedom as he turned the corner. So much so, that he hadn’t seen the elderly woman fall while the contents of her shopping trolley tumble out into the gutter.
Helping her up was easy. She was frail and light. He managed to weave their way through the foot traffic to the steps of a building. She sat their patiently while he retrieved her trolley and gathered up all of the scattered items.
It was several minutes before he returned to her. The old woman was beside herself with praise for his prompt action. He was beginning to feel almost uncomfortable with the constant thanks he was receiving from the old dear.
Finally, she was up and on her feet, on her way, pulling her trolley behind her, waving over her shoulder.
He stood watching her for a while, as she disappeared, mingling with the crowd. He reflected on how easy and natural the whole thing had been.
He was surprised at this … together with his newfound moral judgement.
Conviction.