S

John Abbott

The old man was dressed in a dark, threadbare suit, which, like its owner, had seen better days. He was standing, trying not to look too dis-spirited about his plight. His battered, old cap was upturned on the ground with numerous shiny coins within. London’s pedestrians passed to and fro, some cast only glances, whilst others, on occasion, stopped.

The little girl was dragging slightly behind her mother, who was gently tugging her left arm to persuade her into more ardent forward motion.

“Mummy, Mummy, can we give the man some money?”

The mother accepted the inevitable without repining.

“OK, OK, Yes” as she delved into her handbag.

Releasing her young off-springs hand for a moment, she dipped into her purse.

“Stay there Trudi,”

She found a small golden coin and passed it to her daughter.

“Give the man the pound, Trudi” she said as she bent her knees to move closer to young Trudi.

Trudi carefully placed the pound coin into the old man’s cap. The old man gave his usual response.

“Thank you and may god bless you.”

He smiled at the little girl, knowing that this universal gesture would achieve the necessary effect. The girl with her blonde pony-tail smiled a friendly, toothy grin back. The old man had seen it all.

Hell and heaven, life and death … and still he found the gift of a smile.

                         ……………     

Life is just a long, weary journey.

However, not if you begin each mile with an ’S’ …

Copyright John Abbott