Mercy effect

​"What is mercy?" a small boy asked in a soft, quiet voice. ​"It is a choice to withhold a deserved punishment and offer forgiveness instead," an old beggar answered, sitting by the roadside. ​"I'll be a good man if I show mercy to my enemies, right?" The boy looked at the old beggar, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. ​"Maybe... but your enemies will think you're a coward," the old man sighed, looking at the boy's innocence. ​"Is it bad to be considered a coward if I can still be a good man?" The boy tilted his head in confusion. ​"Oh, no, it isn't that. Rather, the people you show mercy to might not learn from their mistakes. They might take advantage of your kindness instead. I've experienced it myself," the old man spoke in a quiet, sorrowful voice. ​"But not everyone is like that," the boy insisted, looking at the beggar with hope. "Maybe someone out there just needs mercy to change?" ​"You don't know how cruel this world can be, Azrael. You'll understand one day." The old man gently patted the boy's head with a sad smile.