Strange Exchanges No 2
"The Pen is Mightier"
Walking in the Garden District on a beautiful, sunny day, I noticed an elderly gentleman trying to cross the street as I was crossing the same street one block up. He was breathing through a tube attached to a device and used a walker to keep his balance as he walked. At first, I was concerned that he was out by himself, because he looked frail. Upon closer inspection, his clothes were all very well-pressed and he was clean and well-groomed. Someone was taking very good care of him, at least.
There is a small park on the neutral ground across the street, and as we approached the area, I heard him shout behind me.
"Miss! Miss! "
Initially, I thought that maybe he was lost or needed help. I turned toward his direction.
" Yes, sir? "
He reached into a belt pack on his hip and produced from it a very nice pen, the kind that people receive in those expensive desk sets that one gives as a gift because they don't know what else to buy someone.
" I want you to have this, " he said.
"Oh, no. Thank you. That's very nice, but I have a pen, " I said.
I could picture him going home to his family or caretaker and relaying this story of giving his pen to a lady on the street. (Surely there's a joke there, somewhere. )
"Oh, but you're very pretty, and I want you to have this. It writes very nicely. "
Now I was slightly embarrassed, and also started looking around to see if someone was keeping an eye on him. Had he wandered away from a nursing home? Was there even a nursing home close by? The closest one I could think of was at least a mile away, if not more. I didn't see anyone around. Finally, I replied to him.
" Thank you. That's very sweet, but I can't take it. You might need to write down something important later. "
"Okay, well you're a very pretty lady and have a very nice day. It's a pretty day to be out for a walk. "
"Yes, it is," I said. "You take care and enjoy your walk, sir. "
At this point, I had to hurry on my way. I was already running late. I just hoped that he wasn't completely confused and made his way back to wherever it was that he belonged. And I hope that he had his pen handy when he had something important to write down later. Or maybe he gave it to another pretty lady.
Nice slice of life. Sometimes I think it's the random and unplanned occurances that make up the best experiences in life; I like how your presentation allows the reader to make their own conclusions about the event. I think it shines a light on the human tragedy of our culture that causes us difficulty in distinguishing whether someone is simply (benevolently) expressing gratitude for beauty, or if there is something wrong going on -- something not right. I remember doing such things when I was young; Our society taught me that it was not proper behavior. We grown ups just don't behave that way, unless something isn't right. I still wonder, if in innocense, this may be an example of good behavior.
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