50p

When I was in Cardiff, my mum and I were stopped by three homeless men, one of whom asked us for fifty pence to buy a burger. My mum asked if he would definitely buy a burger, and not alcohol (there was a faint smell of something alcoholic around them). We couldn't fully understand his reply, as he had a strong Scottish accent, but eventually decided to trust them.
However, we didn't have any change, so we went to a nearby shop, and returned with the money. When we got back to them, they seemed surprised that we'd returned, calling us angels. One of the men took my mum's hand, and held it to his heart, asking her whether she could feel the warmth.
As we walked off, I wondered how many people had promised to return with change, and had merely used that as an excuse. I also wondered what had happened to them- how had three Scotsmen come to be sat on the streets of the capital of Wales?
About ten minutes later, we saw the same man who had originally asked for the money, though he didn't see us. He was holding a container of food from a nearby takeaway; he'd eaten about half. As we walked past, we saw him walk over to another homeless man- who he quite clearly seemed not to know- and gave him the rest of his food.
This man, who had so little, was still able and willing to give to others who needed it. For me, it was pretty humbling.
The experience was contrasted- and highlighted- by the main event of the evening; the long-awaited concert. Amy Macdonald, at just 25, had pretty much total control over the whole audience of her gig; whereas outside, a man far older, had so little and yet still gave away.
I'm not comparing the personalities of either person; it just struck me that, in essence, they had similarities- both Scots, come to be in Cardiff by whatever chances they'd taken- yet so different.
Makes you think.