Where Have All the Good Samaritans Gone?

     On Wednesday, September 14, 2011, I left work in route to my home. As I was driving North down Maiden Lane toward 7^th street, I came across a line of people stopped at a green light. I heard people honking and saw cars veering from the inside lane to the turning and outside lanes. At first, I could not perceive what was going on or why none of the cars were moving. I knew something up ahead must be wrong.

     As I got closer, I saw a young man standing beside his car. His Honda Civic had stalled in the inside lane on Maiden Lane. I knew he was in trouble. I went around his stalled car and veered into the outside lane. I kept looking back at this poor guy just standing beside his car, not knowing what to do.  I decided to turn right onto 7^th street and I whipped into the Wendy’s parking lot. I put my car in park and jumped out to ask this man if he needed some help. He advised me that he did, indeed, need some help so I dashed across the outside lane to go help.  I told the guy that I would push the car if he would steer. We decided to back the car up just enough to be able to turn into the Wendy’s side parking lot.

     As I began to push, I noticed a red Dodge Charger revving up its motor behind this stalled Honda Civic. All of a sudden, the woman driving the Dodge Charger laid on her horn. I looked up to see her mouthing “Do not hit my car,” in a very rude manner. I was outraged! I starting making gestures at her and telling her to go around if she was so worried about her stupid car! I know this young man thought I was crazy. I could not hold myself back because I just could not believe that this woman! Instead of being polite or helping, she blew her horn because she was worried that the stalled car, which I was pushing at 5 miles per hour, was going to hit her precious Dodge Charger.

     Finally, this young man and I pushed the car all the way into the Wendy’s parking lot. After putting his car in park, I realized this man did not have a cell phone and had no way of getting home besides walking. I asked him if he needed a ride because I knew in my heart that I couldn’t just leave him there. So, we both jumped in my car and headed off toward his house. When we arrived at his house, he told me how grateful he was that I helped him move his car and he thanked me for the ride.  

     As I headed home, I thought about the previous event that had just occurred. I still could not understand how the woman who was worried about car could act the way she did. Where have all the good people in this world gone? I am always willing to stop and help someone in need if at all possible. I know there are still some good Samaritans left in the world but they are decreasing rapidly. I know thousands of whole-hearted people helped as a result of the the May 22, tornado, but in the future, I hope more and more people will be willing to help someone in need.