Intentions Spoke Volumes in This Cafe

--by wayfarer, posted Jun 4, 2009

Which road is paved with good intentions? Oh, yeah. You know the one!

Well, anyway, I was in a Glasgow cafe at the weekend. Actually, I had been browsing in the shop while Julie got a table in the cafe that occupies the rear of the shop. As I walked to the table, I saw an elderly lady trying to make her way to a vacant seat. The place was busy and there wasn't a lot of space. She walked slowly and determinedly, leaning heavily on two sticks, wobbling slightly between steps.

Sometimes you can just tell, and I was sure she would much rather get there under her own steam than be helped.

So, I stood and watched. And while I watched I saw a couple, sitting nearby, halt their coffee cups inches from their lips. Without looking down, the man shoved the bag at his feet further under the table, out of the way should he have to move quickly. I saw one of the waitresses leave her post and wipe down a table near the one the lady was heading for, though the table was already spotlessly clean. I saw a young fellow, returning from the toilet, walk this way and that for a few seconds, getting no closer to his own seat, but getting no further away from the lady should she need his help.

As it happened -- nothing happened. She made it to her seat without incident. The couple went back to chatting and drinking their coffee, the waitress brought the lady her lunch and the young man sat down with his girlfriend. But it was a moment pregnant with care, with help, with the very best of intentions.

Good intentions get a bad reputation sometimes, but I, for one, am glad we live in a world where there are still so many of them around.

1369 Reads

Posted by wayfarer
Jun 4, 2009
Comments (9)

Readers Comments

iferlamb wrote: This is a lovely story. I am so glad i happened onto it.

Smiles.

TheakstonCat wrote: What a marvellous way you have with words, to make an observation of life, the good but silent things, you are a good and talented man. TC x

sathsath wrote: And wayfarer takes time out for we mortals,to write inspiring,live incidents,presented in a style par excellence,tell us more

JuneBug wrote: Me too,wayfarer! I am glad you were watching so intently though, in case something did happen. Help is good, but to do something on your own is satisfaction to yourself. You let her keep that...Good post! :)

FairyBubbles wrote: Oh that is lovely - if only stories like this could make it to the newspaper headlines.

MakeSomeoneSmile wrote: What a nice story wayfarer! It is encouraging when you see those kinds of things in today's world!

JuneBug wrote: Yes, someday we will be watching MSS wobbling to his table...It will be hard not to trip him, but I will try to behave....:)

lovebug wrote: A beautiful post wayfarer, you have a eye for observation, it does take a trained eye, but with a little practice, we can all see the good.

AURELIA wrote: And Wayfaer Helps us to see things we may not! Thanks for being you :0) ~Aurelia

Add A Comment

Name

Comment Description

Spam Block: Please answer this simple math question 5 + 3 =

Stories of Kindness from Around the World