This Happened in Coney Island, New York
Sometimes we might feel despair, thinking we are too small or too few to do something. But one grain at a time will help a lot.
Today I met a person on the streets of Coney Island. A 92-year-old man, he was whistling in the street, I felt so much affection for him that I had to approach him.
I said, "You must be happy today. You are whistling."
He replied, "Yes, that makes me happy. What makes you happy?"
I said, "Chanting makes me happy."
"Oh, what do you chant?"
"I chant Hare Krishna."
Then he exclaimed, "Oh, Hare Krishna! Where have you been?"
At that moment I understood that everyone one of us has a mission, and that we all, wherever we go, whatever we do, we always have to share what we know, what Srila Prabhupada has given us. Otherwise, it will be a waste of our lives.
Morris is the name of my new friend in Coney Island. We continued our conversation, and he asked for my name.
I said "Maha."
He asked, "Oh, like in Maharaja?"
I said "Not quite!"
But he kept calling me "Maharaja."
Then we walked toward his apartment. Hundreds of elderly people stay in these buildings. He wanted me to go and meet his friends. We talked about the soul and the real self. He said he did not know who he was but felt not so uncomfortable with his body. He is a very intelligent, eloquent man.
I took his phone number and promised to call him and send him some books and pamphlets. Then we had to say good-bye.
He took me back to the subway entrance. It was like an encounter between old friends: He did not want to let me go, and I also felt sorry to leave.
I waved and said "Haribol," and he responded with a loud "Hare Krishna!"
So many souls out there to be guided toward Krishna. Isn't it amazing that among millions of people walking through the streets of the New York area, I had to meet this kind gentleman, who was just waiting to hear the holy name and ready to repeat it and was missing the devotees in the street?
M. Mahattama Devi Dasi
