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On a rainy
day, a man was walking along an empty path, as he made the next turn he came
along an old red bench with a well-dressed-fellow sitting on it reading an old
book. He paid it no mind and was about to continue when the sitter called out
"Take a seat." and looked up from his book.
The two men
looked at each other and then the one standing took a seat.
"That's
the spirit, now what's your name?" he asked.
"Thomas"
the one who was standing replied.
"Nice
name, what's troubling you?"
Thomas
looked at the strange man with confusion. "Excuse me?"
"The
weather's bad, that doesn't mean anything actually, personally I like the rain.
However, here you are, coming down the path without really any emotion, look at
yourself, you don't even have a jacket."
"I
could just be enjoying the rain in my own way?"
"Yes,
since the majority of mankind who likes to enjoy the rain with a horrific cold
afterwards. Come on, let me in."
"Why,
I don't even know you."
"Exactly,
and I don't know you, we can talk and I know nothing about who you are or your
choices. I can't judge you for anything, because I don't know anything!"
"What's
your name stranger?" Thomas asked.
"Edward
Harrison, the best reader to have lived."
"Reader?"
"Yes,
I read books with ease and people just as well, now what's your trouble."
Thomas eyed
this stranger, and then began to tell him of all his grievances in his life.
Edward listened quietly to this man. Once Thomas had finished his speech, he
pulled out a note and wrote on it, Thomas watched him do this with curiosity.
Once he had finished, Edward handed the piece of paper to him.
It was a
simple phrase:
When
there is still air in your lungs, and the blood still flows through your heart,
there is still a chance for change...
Thomas read
over the piece of paper a few times, at first he was confused, but after a few
times the word began to make sense to him. He looked at this once strange man
and thanked him for his help.
Thomas then
stood up smiling and began to walk again, when he thought of something. He
turned back to ask Edward a question, but where the man and red bench once
stood, was now an old rusty metal bench with a dedication. Thomas approached
the bench and was in shock at what was written.
Edward
Harrison
1939 -
1987
He always
loved watching people from this little bench
and he
loved helping those who needed it
He was
indeed, the best reader to live.
