Image © Mission Australia
She sat slumped in the big people’s chair tinkling on the little wooden xylophone she had “borrowed” from the shelf. Her mother and a friend sat beside her chatting and sipping coffee in the busy coffee book store that has become my favourite place to write.
I looked up suddenly… fascinated. It had been ages since I’d heard that sound. The crisp tinkle of the keys took me back to the simple joy of simple toys in a simpler time and place.
It was a lovely scene… and I smiled to myself as I watched
[and waited]
because I knew it couldn’t last.
The shop assistant would be over there soon… and the magic would have to end.
And then… right on cue… there she was.
Like a dark cloud casting its shadow across the sun… the shop assistant stood towering over the little girl. I wondered secretly [holding my heart] how she was going to handle this. Then with a purposeful look… she bent down unrepentant and fixed the child with a solid gaze before extracting the toy from the little girl’s hands.
The mother sat in silent acceptance as the child relinquished the toy to its rightful owner. The little girl to her credit didn’t argue or complain but merely gave it up with eyes downcast… her humiliation complete.
Then… with mission accomplished… the shop assistant stepped back with the toy in her hands and without a backward glance returned the errant product triumphantly back onto the shelf.
She was only doing her job. I know.
But I longed for a pang of regret.
And watched closely for it.
But no. She just walked away.
The xylophone sat silently back on the shelf… the air around it filled with the palpable sound of uninterrupted silence.
In that moment the world lost its innocence.
And the child grew up.
But what if she didn’t have to?
What if the world didn’t have to be so unkind?
What if I could somehow change things?
What if they thought I was interfering?
What if… what if… what if?
I downed the last sip of my coffee.
Then without stopping to think… I got up and walked over to where the xylophone sat on the shelf. I picked up the box and perused the price. It was reasonable.
I tucked the box under my arm and walked up to the counter to order another coffee.
“Oh… and I’ll take the xylophone too” I squeaked… now not quite so sure of my actions.
But no.
I wanted to make things right. Even if only in this very small way.
I wanted this little girl to feel better about her experience. Better about the world. And the way things worked. I wanted her to know about kindness. And how it might not be dead. And how people DO still care.
“That will be $25.90 thanks” the shop assistant said looking slightly embarrassed.
[Oh shoot... I hadn't counted on making HER feel bad]
But this thing was bigger than us.
WE would all get over it.
The little girl might not.
So I pressed on with the purchase… put the box under my arm… and headed tentatively over to their table.
The mother looked up in blank surprise as I handed her the box… and for a split second I felt a bit silly.
“Are you serious?” she said with a growing smile
“Oh wow… that’s wonderful… thank you… but are you sure?”
Yes… I was sure [grin]
She handed the box to the little girl and her face lit up.
“You know that’s all she wanted for Christmas” she explained
“Niall loves to make music”
I apologised for stealing Santa’s thunder… but she hastened to reassure me that I’d made their day.
[I was relieved... because it could have gone either way]
Niall smiled from ear to ear when her mother told her the xylophone was hers to keep.
“And hey… who didn’t want to come to town today to go to the Doctor!?” she chided the little girl lightly.
Then… confiding in me afterward she added
“We’re hoping for good news today”
I stood there shocked.
“I think it’s going to be a VERY good day” she said with a smile.
It was.
A very good day.
For ALL of us!
EVERY GOOD WISH FOR A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO GOOD FRIENDS HERE.
MAY YOUR DAYS HERE ON EARTH BE FILLED WITH LOVE.
AND MAY THE PEOPLE WHO COME INTO YOUR LIFE AND LOVINGLY PASS THROUGH IT… THOSE WHO TOUCH YOUR HEART AND CHANGE IT FOREVER… BRING YOU GRATITUDE … DEEP CONTENTMENT AND HAPPINESS BEYOND MEASURE.
LIFE IS GOOD. LET’S LIVE IT.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Brought tears to my eyes – a lovely thought- and you being you, Jean.
All the best – Susie
Hi Susie
You and Claire too. I read it aloud to her to see if she liked it and when I looked up her eyes were brimming. Thanks Susie
Thank you Jean…if we would only trust our instincts and not worry about the fall out . the other afternoon I was tired and then in walked a visitor whose co I usually enjoy .Then another I had not seen for weeks and weeks ….managed to keep the cheeriness going then the topic changed and my brain filter ( still not enabled ) let me down and I let rip about the third person . Now I am still feeling guilty but why as what I was saying I had kept hidden for 23 yrs .
Where had my sweetness and light gone ? Found out as a curmudgeon ? Jean the balance was out of kilter then but I will be the better of that and learn NOT to hide behind sweetness and just do as my instinct tells me …….rant if I want huh? grin
Hope she did get a clean bill of health
Me too Elinor. I didn’t want to press them further… but she looked a frail little girl… and maybe that’s what caught my eye about her. She just looked so small and defenceless sitting there… not hurting anybody at all.
Elinor… I’m sure you are being way too hard on yourself. It’s important to say what you mean and mean what you say [not always easy... but vitally important all the same] Being sweet is no crime… nor is it disingenuous… and sometimes even the sweet have to glove up and go into battle. The iron fist in the velvet glove is a formidable weapon when used appropriately to defend a principle.
Thanks for stopping by E and telling it like it is… I really do appreciate that
Very beautiful gesture on your part, Jean. It is too bad we get trapped in our various roles….employee, bystander, etc. that we don’t break out of those as you did and touch people when we have the chance.
Harry… it was a real knee jerk. I didn’t stop to think it through. And like I said… it could have gone either way… so I was lucky they took it well LOL
I felt sorry for the shop staff later… for the young woman who had the onerous job of retrieving the goods… and for the shop owner who ordered it done. I feel as though any one of them would turn back the clock on their actions if they only had the chance. It was just one of those ill conceived things… the consequences of which had not been considered fully.
Thanks Harry… appreciate your comment… and you being here so soon after Christmas! Hope yours was a Happy one
Jean, your generous gesture warms my heart and brings tears to my eyes. Thank you for being you! It so often seems that thoughtfulness and kindness is a forgotten art. You hlelped make the world a better place for this little girl by your actions, and hopefully the shop owner and staff will think (in the future)about how their actions affect others. Maybe they will keep attractive items of this sort out of the reach of smaller people so this kind of thing will not repeat. (((Hugs))) to you!!!!!
Thanks Anita
That’s such a good idea to put things out of reach… it’s a no brainer really isn’t it? Thanks so much for your lovely comment Anita… always so very much appreciated x
Hi Jean,
Hope you had a great Xmas. Enjoy the rest of 2011 & be excited about 2012.
be good to yourself
David
Thanks David
Appreciate that.
A wonderful Christmas story! I’ve been missing your posts and art. Happy New Year!
Hi Galen
I know.
I seem to have hit a solid brick wall since I got back from Paris.
Plus.
Events overtaking me.
I have a new website in the wings as well… and was rather hoping to have that up as well… but I am only one little person and sometimes it just all gets too much.
That’s when I take time out… and stop.
Take stock.
And start again.
I guess we all get tired… LOL
Thanks for the reminder to get going again … it’s much appreciated