An old man plays the harmonica.
In front of him, there is a clean-looking picture on a dirty old bag. A young, fair-haired boy dressed in an old-time school uniform, with red and blue squares smiles from the picture. From time to time, the old man adjusts it. The story of his begging hand.
Even though you can barely call his a sweater when it is snowing outside, the old man is cheerful when performing. Unlike the people who get out of the subway in suits and fur coats. Their faces are gloomy.
He applies himself even more when someone stops to listen to him. He makes a complete spectacle, of song and dance. He has the gestures of a court jester who is trying to honor their master. When he receives a banknote, he puts it against both his cheeks and waves it before the final bow. The show starts anew for the next spectator.
He remains cheerful when young men stop to make fun of him like young people do when they never lacked anything in life.
I wonder if he can read. I would give him a copy of this story, together with the banknote.
Would that stop his show? Would I break his joy? He would probably continue to look all smug and happy, an attitude that does not match his appearance at all.
^ The photo is from Mathias Konrath’s portfolio on Unsplash
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