It's
very rarely indeed that I take a bus ride, almost bordering to near
never. But I did this morning, through necessity. It was a fairly short
ride, but long enough to witness something I bet no one else on the bus
had noticed or, if they did, wouldn't have meant a thing. To me
though, it's something I find comforting and heart warming.
Sitting
in front of me but on the other side of the aisle was an old couple.
He must be at least 90 and she perhaps 2 or 3 years less. He started
quoting a phrase of Schopenhauer: 'The fly should be taken as a symbol
of audacity because, while other animals run from man, the fly gets
close to him landing right on his nose.' The woman looked at him
sideways, closed her eyes a minute or so as if digesting what the old
man had just said.
Almost another minute passed before she half turned to him and replied: 'Did you know that those statues of lions that guard the Library of New York are called Bravery and Patience, because the New-Yorkers think these are the 2 qualities they need to survive the crisis and the Great Depression?'
Now
the man closed his eyes as if he too was digesting the words she said.
Neither said anything after that. They got off the bus together; she
helping to steady him down the steps and he caressed the back of her
neck.
I
never saw them again, but I was fascinated, as I always do, by the
very special and close bond between some people who have found such
deep love in few words, in silence, or simply in the way they look at
each other. Sometimes words are unnecessary. It's a love story told
with feelings and sentiments. It made my day.
Next: 21st Feb 2012 An Irresistible Ad.
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