In Mangere Bridge, Auckland, after talking to a lady parked in her car, I jumped onto the footpath and saw two nicely dressed young men, one Indian and one Maori, walking away from me. I yelled to them, saying something ridiculous, as usual, and walked quickly and confidently toward them, extending a Bhagavad Gita. I tried to make the impression that I had something important to tell them.
The Maori was somewhat familiar with devotees, having met one or two on the street before, maybe even seeing a harinam. He was quite favorable. We were joking a bit whilst he looked at the Gita. The Indian, though laughing and somewhat friendly, was a bit disturbing and a bit cheeky. I asked what he did for a living, and he said that he did sex changes (maybe joking). We parted on friendly terms, the Maori giving a small donation and taking a magazine (http://www.enoughmagazine.org/).
Fifteen minutes later, the same Indian young man approached me, this time alone, and passed me a $20 note. His mood had changed. He was showing much appreciation for book distribution and the Bhagavad Gita. Rahul even apologized several times for his previous behavior. Obviously, he had a certain image he wanted to conform to in the presence of his friend. I offered him a Gita, but he refused, because he has one and had been struggling to read it. Often Indian people I meet do not want to have anything to do with devotees on the street, or they are all talk, no walk.
Shortly after this exchange I went to grab another book out of my box, when I saw a Krishna book. I immediately realized that Rahul, struggling with the detailed philosophy in the Gita would be able to relish the Krishna book, full of transcendental romance, violence and comedy.
Only a few minutes had passed since I talked to Rahul, so I quickly started looking around whilst praying that Krishna would let me find him. There he was, very close to where I had originally met him. By the time I had caught up to him he was sitting in his car. I opened the passenger-seat door, lent across and put the Krishna book in his hand. As I explained what the book was and why he would like it, his face lit up. He asked how much it was, and I answered that it was his; he had already paid. He asked again, this time assertively. I explained that we try to get $10 for it. He grabbed his wallet and gave another $20. Rahul apologized again, explaining that he believed in God. He tried to show his sincerity by exclaiming Hare Krishna as I closed the car door.
Your aspiring servant,
Amani Gaurahari Dasa (Nick)
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