As The Children Do

     She carried herself with the unabashed dignity befitting of a child her age. In her hand she carried a paper sack that strained under the weight of its contents. Inside was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich packed inside a zip-lock bag–it was probably soggy by now. You see, what often happens when sandwiches are sealed inside a zip-lock baggy is that moisture is sealed in with it. That moisture eventually condenses into water within the dark depths of the baggy, and what you had put in dry you ended up taking out wet. Luckily, there was never enough moisture to rob said PB&J of its taste. Therefore, you had a soggy, but still tasty meal.

     Anyway, she had a sandwich, potato chips, and a soda pop. As she bounced along, she was careful to compensate for her joyous bounds with the gentle sway of her arm, lest the soda fizz up inside the can and, when opened, explode in the face of whoever may open it.

The girl’s mother walked beside her. Protective, as parents are–and rightly so–she wouldn’t let her child walk the streets alone. So they walked on, hand in hand. The mother glanced this way and that every few moments, nervous for her child. It wasn’t wrong for her to have second thoughts, but she had been so proud of her daughter when she had come forward with her plan of generosity. How could she possibly back out now?

     Finally, they got to him. He was a gruff old man who had gone days without shaving, and his white hair was slick and greasy. He wore what once may have been considered jeans and a thick, long-sleeved plaid shirt. He sat with his back to a building, slumping as tired old me often do. He saw the two approach and straightened his posture. When on begs for a living, it is never good to look lazy, or people may think that you’re a fake bum who is unwilling to work rather than unable. He though it odd that they approached him rather than vice versa, but he was eager for the company.

     "What can I do for you folks?" He asked as they came near. The child didn’t answer, but rather presented him with a paper sack. Without a word, he accepted the strange gift. After inspecting the contents, a overwhelming gratitude flooded his face.

     "Kid, you’ll never know how much this means."

     "Wouldn’t you do this for me?" Her question caught him off guard. He was silent for a few seconds before answering.

     "I’m not sure if I would." Her cheery demeanor faded at once into heart wrenching frown that only a child can give, the one that gives grown-ups the feeling that they had somehow let the child down. But it was a passing expression, quickly replaced by a toothy grin.

     "Well, see you later." And with that, she was off, leaving the old man to gather his feelings and his priorities.