WHATEVER happened to the kindness of strangers, the good Samaritan or the times when everyone was everyone else's friend and people helped those who needed help?

This afternoon I found myself without enough bus fare to get home and upon seeing a kindly looking (emphasis on the 'looking') elderly lady, I asked her if she could spare the (hardly princely) sum of 25 pence.

Giving me an incredulous look she asked me how long I had been standing there, seemingly implying that I did have enough fare and trying to suggest that I had realised I could buy some sweets if I scrounged some money.

This was certainly not the case and I was upset with her response to my innocent request.

I responded to her question by telling her (truthfully) that the reason I had waited before asking her, was that I had been desperately looking for some change in my pockets, but to no avail.

"That seems like a tale", she said, accusing me of lying.

Eventually, though begrudgingly, she dropped a 20 pence coin into my hand.

When the bus did arrive I still did not have enough fare, when I gave all I had to the driver he said in a demeaning tone: "That comes out my wage!", and brushed me away.

Has society become so hardened by the fear of crime and the world become so 'dog-eat-dog' that no-one will help those who need help?

I think it a great shame that we have lost our community spirit and willingness to do people a favour.

D HEAP, Hamilton Road, Barrowford.