A New Year's Eve encounter

Posted by Don Michael on Sat, 31 Dec 2022

 

A young man once asked Buddha to explain the essence of the Teaching.
“If you cling, you are bound. If you do not cling, you are free,” Buddha replied.
 
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Last night was New Year's Eve, it was raining and very dark as my good friend Mark drove me home through the streets of our town near Gloucester. He is an excellent and very careful driver and as a company representative covers many miles every month. 
He was familiar with all the streets and there was only a little traffic.

 

Just as we were turning into my road,  I saw a girl, about 20 years old, walking along the pavement talking into her mobile phone, Mark must have seen her too as he very slowly turned the corner.

 

Suddenly and without looking the girl stepped right in front of the car and then there was a thumping sound.

 

Not knowing what to expect, we both got out of the car very quickly and found her lying in front of the car headlights .

 

Fortunately, she had not been badly hurt and when she got to her feet was clearly very shaken but able to speak.

 

Much relieved, we asked if she was injured and offered to drive her home or take her to the hospital.

 

She looked at her hands several times, shook her head and then worriedly asked, 

 

"Where Is my mobile? Is it OK?"

 

Comments

Submitted by celticman on

ah, the mobile generation. Just glad no phone was hurt in the writing of your story. 

 

Submitted by Don Michael on

Thanks Celticman. I posted on a blog by mistake - been away for years so must learn posting again.

Hope all is well with you, Don

 

Submitted by celticman on

no worries Don. Only nitpickers like me would notice. 

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

A beautiful answer of Buddha and so wise, I was told "Pain is unavoidable, suffering is".

William Blake,

"He who binds to himself a joy, does the winged life destroy :

But he who kisses the joy as it flies, lives in eternity's sunrise"

Lovely little story and typical and it's probably true. It is good to have a cellphone but better not to have one.

Hear from you! Tom

 

Submitted by Don Michael on

Thank you Tom