There was a man at the corner with one third of a hat and half a pair of shoes. I offered him my boots. He sold them to a homeless guy for ten bucks and gave the money to a woman at a bus stop.

I really liked those boots…

Alternate Version:
He stood there on the corner, with tattered hat and coat. His backpack overflowed with toys that he was handing out.

His shoes were only halfers: they covered just his heels. I offered mine, but he declined, ungrateful little eel.

He made me feel guilty, and guilt is not genteel.

This story, and the supplementary poem, were inspired by a title suggested by @hexapodium.