The other day I was waiting at a bus stop. I wasn't waiting for the bus. I just wanted to see what it felt like to wait for a bus.
It is no different than waiting for anything else. As the bus's scheduled arrival time neared the younger waiters began to get fidgety and nervous. They paced and walked into the street trying to help the bus to get there faster. The older people just sat and patiently waited.
The bus came and went, leaving me and a dirty old pan handler waiting on the bench.
He looked at me and said, "I don't have any money to help you out but if I did I would."
I gave him a five and walked back into my world.
Short and sweet. Made me smile :-)
ReplyDeleteI must be getting old as I never leap forward for the bus any more!Nicely described scene though..I like the idea of waiting in a different world..I hadn't thought of waiting for something you don't actually need. Thanks for your visit..Jae
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this very short SS so much! Such an inspiration, jamming humour, goodwill, and a little suspense all in a few paragraphs! Well done!
ReplyDeleteHaven't done busses in years. Not since I was one of those young ones, peering down the road, trying to get it there faster. You captured it well and I too, like the idea of waiting for something not needed. Well put together and thanks for stopping by my site,
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
Delightful! I use the bus quite a lot, mainly due to the fact that it's free, and like you I get enormous pleasure from watching my fellow 'waiters'!
ReplyDeleteAnd nice fun post!! My favorite pastime while waiting for the bus is to watch other waiters. Its so much fun!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a touching tale of kinship justly rewarded by your hero. I love observing people waiting for buses and trains as so many stories can be imagined there.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of momentarily stepping into someone else's world like that - perhaps we should all take the time to wait in such a way
ReplyDeletethis begs the question - how did you feel when he said that? LOL What an interesting adventure and a part of you had to think, there but for the grace of God...
ReplyDeleteI like it. Nice post. :-)
ReplyDeleteWaiting for a bus reminds me of when I was working in the hospital.We had a bench in the hallway for the dementia patients that was called the bus stop. They would be content to sit for ages waiting for the bus to come and watch the world go by, visitors were often puzzled but anyone who knew would reply "oh the bus will be along soon" when asked.
ReplyDeleteSadly, we sometimes hear of panhandlers doing what they do under false pretenses, which many are not guilty of. For that man to offer help is special.
You intrigue me and that is why I return to read your blog. I also do things out of the ordinary. This post was truly putting yourself in another's shoes. Like another commenter, I also wonder how you felt when he spoke up with such generosity. Did it surprise you? Is this writer's license or did the end really occur. Regardless, I feel you would have given him $ regardless,from the humane tone of your blog.
ReplyDelete