Asking for help—
it takes courage,
the kind that trembles
but steps forward anyway.
To accept it
when freely offered,
to lean into it
without shame,
without shrinking your worth—
that is strength.
That is wisdom.
That is human.
You may choose not to help,
or give with an open heart—
both are yours to choose.
But never ask
what you’re owed for kindness.
That is where help
loses its name.
No one is bound
by your generosity.
Don’t keep a ledger
of what you gave—
true help doesn’t
come with strings.
This piece is written in response to the two hundredth and fiftieth edition of Fiction Monday inspired by the word prompt – HELP hosted by yours truly. Do join in if you have a tale to tell.
Check out my YouTube Channel here.

Keeping that ledger for maintaining the account can be taxing on the mind making us lose the pleasure and satisfaction of helping others.
LikeLike
I missed last week’s Fiction Monday writing, Vinitha!
‘Don’t keep a ledger’ , ha ha… – it is an apt expression for seeking a response to the help we may offer. If we expect anything is return for the help we offer, it doesn’t even deserve to be called generosity.
LikeLike