DP Daily Prompts: Greetings, Stranger
You’re sitting at a cafe when a stranger approaches you. This person asks what your name is,you reply. The stranger nods, “I’ve been looking for you.” What happens next?
I’m sitting in “Second Cup” waiting for my cup of coffee, it is crowded, I’m bored so I took out my book which I recently purchased, I read the title,”Atlas Shrugged” what a strange title I thought, I began reading it, told myself not bad, this will take me a while to finish reading, eleven hundred and six pages, wow, I said and looked up to see if the girl was calling me, no she wasn’t but I’m amazed to see someone approaching me, I never saw this woman in my life, what could she want from me. I stay seated and am pretending to look elsewhere, “Hello I hear a rather unusually hoarse voice.”
I look up, she is actually addressing me, “What’s your name, is the first question?
By this time I’m perturbed, “What?” I say, rather impolitely.
I want to know your name, she repeated.
What makes you think, I’ll tell you my name, I’ve never seen you before, I said.
Oh I am so sorry, I should have introduced myself before asking you a question, I was so thrilled to see you I couldn’t wait to ask you your name, I am your student Heather, I was looking for you to give my good news, I’m finally ready to start studies in the school of medicine. You know how long I tried to get in.
Heather I’m so pleased I said, my name is Ranu. Yes I taught you in grade school, how wonderful to know you’ll prepare yourself to be a physician.
We talked for a while, I told her I was waiting for my coffee, she invited me to go to a restaurant, so we could talk. I found out she was engaged, would be married in a couple of months and I must attend her wedding.
I felt embarrassed I didn’t recognize my former student, she didn’t seem to mind. We had a delicious lunch in”Bistro Sofia” she dropped me off at my house and promised to get in touch with me.
At home I felt glad I went for that coffee I ended up not getting it but was pleased I met Heather, what a beautiful coincidence, is all I told myself!
https://sabethville.wordpress.com/2014/09/08/dp-daily-promp…tings-stranger/
Dear Ranu,
Thank you for this interesting story. It immediately brings to mind adab, and just how positively we may influence others (and be influenced by them) by how we greet them, relate to them, and resolve conflicts with them.
All good wishes,
robert
Your comments I find are getting more philosophical as time passes, surely this is the influence of Iqbal studies, won’t you say?
Thanks a lot.
Dear Ranu,
I would be the luckiest man in the world if I could be influenced by Iqbal and those who emulate him.
All good wishes,
robert
Dear Robert, faith in yourself is what you need if you have it ,you have nothing to worry.
Dear Ranu,
Thank you!
All good wishes,
robert
You are welcome,Robert!
What a lovely story. I have a friend who is a long time teacher and she gets greeted by her students everywhere too. It must feel so good
Yes some kids are really nice.