Your eyeball? I'm so sorry, i'm not sure where that came from. Here: a tissue!
Don't rub!
Can i look? <lifts ladies eyelid then spots something in the corner of her eye.>
There is something in this corner: can i? < motioning with another tissue >
Yes, please do! < the lady replies >
<A slight dab and a tiny piece of dirt within a tear remain on the tissue.>
There!
Oh thankyou you are so kind.
Oh it was nothing! Can you hold the tissue for me?
Sure < answers the lady slightly bemused >
< the man whips out a phone, pulls up an app and takes a piccy and types all in one deft movement. >
Do you do whatsapp? < he says >
No!
Facebook?
No!
Instagram?
I'm so sorry i am in a bit of a rush, my name is Maryam, thankyou for stopping to help a stranger.
<the couple parted, and never saw each other again, but over the course of one year almost one million people had viewed a picture of a tissue, with a speck of dust, in a tear, with a brief story of a brief encounter>
I love this Mike, what a great experience of sharing, and obviously the mother was used to having unexpected guests, how marvellous. Train journeys are still so special, full of adventure and new encounters.
Love the way that people can come together over a shared interest without necessarily sharing the same language. There is something very special, human and almost spiritual in sharing food with strangers. We can all appreciate it and communicate our pleasure without words, we just know.
Something in my eye...
Your eyeball? I'm so sorry, i'm not sure where that came from. Here: a tissue!
Don't rub!
Can i look? <lifts ladies eyelid then spots something in the corner of her eye.>
There is something in this corner: can i? < motioning with another tissue >
Yes, please do! < the lady replies >
<A slight dab and a tiny piece of dirt within a tear remain on the tissue.>
There!
Oh thankyou you are so kind.
Oh it was nothing! Can you hold the tissue for me?
Sure < answers the lady slightly bemused >
< the man whips out a phone, pulls up an app and takes a piccy and types all in one deft movement. >
Do you do whatsapp? < he says >
No!
Facebook?
No!
Instagram?
I'm so sorry i am in a bit of a rush, my name is Maryam, thankyou for stopping to help a stranger.
<the couple parted, and never saw each other again, but over the course of one year almost one million people had viewed a picture of a tissue, with a speck of dust, in a tear, with a brief story of a brief encounter>
The End
I love this Mike, what a great experience of sharing, and obviously the mother was used to having unexpected guests, how marvellous. Train journeys are still so special, full of adventure and new encounters.
Thank you Rosalind. Such a strong memory, even now. I do wonder what happened to all the members of that family.
Gorgeous. What an evocative piece.
So glad you enjoyed it Anna!
Thank you for sharing this meal with us too!
Thank you Eva, and thanks also for sharing this!
This is lovely. What a feast , I felt like I was there with you. Fantastic writing.
Thank you Francis, and I so appreciate you sharing this.
How beautiful. I just dined with you. What a wonderful moment to share. Thank you Mike.
Thank you so much Margaret. Glad you’re still around!
Love the way that people can come together over a shared interest without necessarily sharing the same language. There is something very special, human and almost spiritual in sharing food with strangers. We can all appreciate it and communicate our pleasure without words, we just know.
Thank you Andy!
Absolutely charming! I really enjoyed this - so uplifting, and the food sounds mouth-watering! Thank you, Mike, a lovely read.
Thank you Jules. Glad you enjoyed it!
So well done. +1