Sometimes a little gem of a piece of writing finds its way to you from out of the ether.
On a Monday The New York Times publishes readers stories which describe the city.
This piece has so much to say in just a few short lines.
I was rather moved by it
Dear Diary:
I was 19, fresh from my tiny hometown in rural Nova Scotia, visiting New York on my own for the first time.
While I was walking through Madison Square Park early one morning, I saw a young man with a bulldog coming toward me on the path.
Naïve and intimidated by the young man’s tattoos and grim expression, I kept my eyes on the ground as he got closer.
The bulldog sneezed.
“Bless you,” the young man said quietly.
— Emily DeWolfe
I could be sorely mistaken but I think that DeWolfe means The Wolf. It is a wonder that the bulldog didn't scarper. I guess that the moral of this little tale is that appearances can be deceptive and we should not pre-judge others.
ReplyDeleteA tough appearance is sometimes a safe cover for a soft centre
ReplyDeleteFirst appearances can be soooo deceptive.
ReplyDeletePS beautiful dog in the top picture - was she Judith Rose?
ReplyDeleteThe blog reader who sent me the story is Judith rose
DeleteI clearly remember a story told by an elderly friend of mine who is now dead. She was on holiday with an equally elderly but somewhat frailer friend, the friend fell and although she wasn't injured couldn't get up. Help appeared in the form of two very scruffy homeless men, who were gentleness itself and wouldn't accept the money offered to them. As my friend said 'on a normal day I'd have crossed the street to avoid them'. I think my friend learned a lot from this experience.
ReplyDeleteNow we all have.
Deletenever judge a book by it's cover.
ReplyDeleteIt’s a gift to be able to tell so much in so few words.
ReplyDeleteLovely story. We can find gentleness behind the scruffier exterior, no?
ReplyDeleteXoXo
Lovely
ReplyDeleteI think we've probably all had experiences like that- where we prejudge only to find that our preconceptions were completely false and that's why this little story resonates.
ReplyDeleteAs Jaz said.
ReplyDeleteHugs!
A great story. According to one list, the city closest to me (Richmond, VA) is the third most tattooed city per capita in the USA. I have gotten used to them and have realized that how one looks on the outside is not necessarily how one looks on the inside.
ReplyDeleteAwwwwww! Expectations and stereotypes defied!
ReplyDeleteSome of the gentlest hearts and softest souls wear an armour of tattoos and piercings. We should always look for the person beneath and give everyone we meet an equal chance.
ReplyDeleteEasy to say, not always easy to do... I do realise.
Perfect little story.
ReplyDeleteLove this story. Beneath rough exteriors lie gentle souls. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI've found that lots of scary looking people are really sweet on the inside. What a great little story. Thanks for sharing it, John.
ReplyDeleteSweet. If his sneezy furry friend had been a German Shepherd he might fairly have said "Gesundheit!"
ReplyDeleteNice story John.
ReplyDeleteA Posy Simmonds cartoon did a version of that some years ago. The dog-owners, who looked threatening, all muscles and tattoos and NF hair, were greeting each other sweetly while the dogs were threatening to bite each other's jaws off.
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to pop into the comments to let you know that I read your blog everyday and enjoy (or commiserate) it immensely. I'm sending yesterday's to my nursing student granddaughter.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to Going Gently Sandy x
DeleteWhat a great story, well told, with an important lesson.
ReplyDeleteWonderful little story.
ReplyDeleteparsnip
There is so much that is dear and tender in this little story.
ReplyDeleteYes, I cried.
Love story, John :)
ReplyDeleteMeant lovely!
DeleteWOW! What I small world we live in!! I'll leave it to Ron to fill you in, John. This is TOO good!
ReplyDeleteI love this jimbo xx
DeleteEmily Dewolfe is/was 3 years younger than myself living in Wolfville, N.S. all her youth. If you are interested I have a 1st year university group photo of her that I could put on your FB page if you put the link to this post on your FB page. There, that was a mouth full. PS: you see me sitting just behind her!! Ron
ReplyDeleteOh Ron I just loved how you have just closed the circle
DeleteSo I put the picture on your FB so you can see the story on my side of the pond and yours!!!
DeleteLast Sunday I went to pick up the papers at the local co-op.a young man covered in tattoos tied his Staffordshire bull terrier to a down spout, bent down and gave it a loving kiss on top of its head. I love staffies, I sat in the car and cried
ReplyDeleteXx
DeleteAnd now you've made ME cry, picturing that!
DeleteIn our village a trendy new barber shop has opened, it is owned by a multi Tattood, multi coloured spiked haired man who takes his children to the parent and toddler groups where I help. I recently asked him how it was going and told him his Barber shop was a breath of fresh air.
ReplyDeleteWe all need this breath of fresh air
DeleteBeautiful story. A good reminder to never judge a book by its cover.
ReplyDeleteWe have a high percentage of tattooed and pierced individuals in our small town. I had a nice conversation a few days ago with a nicely decorated young man regarding his strawberry jam recipe.
ReplyDeleteLovely post today I believe every one deserves to be acknowledge regardless of their appearance a hello or good morning goes a long way towards making someones day.
ReplyDeleteLovely story x
ReplyDelete