I said to the woman who sold fish crackers on the sidewalk:
“give me just a bit for Rp. 2000,- to eat it while wandering in this Fatahilah
square.”
She gave me a little parcel and I gave her the note.
“You don’t have to pay for it.” she said.
I said: “I don’t want it if I don’t have to pay for it.”
Then she gave in. While I’m not a good man, you know? Ha. Ha.
Perhaps she thought, it’s just a trifle, I’ve not the heart
to ask payment. He is an old man walking alone, without anyone to accompany
him, not riding in a car in the hot sun. While that’s just what I’m proud of
and I’m not a poor man either. Imagine a poor woman would treat me, a man not
less poor than she. Besides I’m neatly dressed, wear shoes as I’m just from
visiting the church.
And I thought, oh it’s only Rp. 2000.- or just 20 dollar
cents but her goodness, her kindness, her heart is worth a kiss, far more than a thousand
dollars.
But I only remembered afterwards, to give her a note of
five and say, “keep the change.”
So now, I deserve your kiss, you little fool, if you’re
proud of me. So said Opa Johan to his wife.
March 2013
This is my book. You can read it.
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