The good life

It is often stated in response to the question on what we are supposed to do as graceless creatures on this elegant earth. Be a good person. And honestly, it sounds great. Be a good person. The idea is, of course, that you do not ask any more questions. That you should not elaborate on what it is to be good. And what it looks like.

But every now and then it still bothers me. How to live like a good person. And do I behave as such? Am I a rightful human being? Or do I just act whatever comes to my mind. Because that's just how life works. We hobble from one event to the next. Like grazing sheep move from one meadow to a greener pasture.

These thoughts bubble up in my mind when I am in town this afternoon. I stroll through the high street because I need a new pair of pants. Every year I purchase one fresh pair of jeans. Although I consider myself to be open-minded and open to new vistas, I always buy my clothes in the same store. Already for thirty years.

That is why I can combine it. Thinking about important and difficult matters of life and choosing new cloths. While I routinely walk past the shelfs with trousers and manage to get my size out of the pile, I see out of the corner of my eye that a fitting room is free. I quicken my pace (it is busy in the store and I despise waiting my turn) and stride to the place where I can change my clothes.

The moment I go into the booth, I discover to my surprise that someone is lying on the floor. Fear grips my heart. What happened here? Did someone have a heart attack? I want to turn around and ask a shop assistant for support, when the man opens his eyes and stares at me. Desperate, hopeless. Like a hunted animal.

I am transfixed. Gone are my thoughts of what a good person is. Gone is my willingness to buy a brand-new pair of jeans. All I care about is how to get out of the shop as quickly as possible. But the poor soul gets up and holds out his hand to me. I cannot help but be an aid. And he succeeds to stand up. Wobbly as a newborn calf.

“My lifesaver! How lucky am I to meet you here!”

He wraps a massive arm around me and hugs me. Like I am his prodigal son. Do I smell alcohol? Beer? Whiskey? Wine? Gin? I do not say anything back. But somehow, I feel flattered. How often does it happen that you can mean something to your fellow man?

I put the pants back on the shells and we walk out of the store together. Like two sworn friends. The day is as pretty as a picture. Although it has rained heavily in recent days, it is now dry. The sun is high in a light blue sky and there is hardly any wind.

“Do you know what you and I are going to do? Let us celebrate that we found each other! True friendship! Where do you find that nowadays? In the midst of all that misery, suffering and bitterness of mankind? How unique is it that two people get along so well, how special is that two men have such a strong bond?”

The sad case talks quickly and convincingly. His voice is warm and sincere. Like he is a market merchant to sell net curtains. Nevertheless, I have my doubts about his intention to celebrate our meeting lavishly. If I am not mistaken, my unfortunate companion has already hit too many bottles this day and it seems pre-eminent that I deliver him to his home as best I can. Safe and sound.

But the drunkard does not want to hear about it. He listens to my wise and well-intentioned words, but slyly and skillfully pushes me to the next terrace. When we are sitting in the early sun, I also feel that I could need a cold beer after all these shenanigans. And well, after that first glass, a second beer is also quickly ordered.

One thing leads to another. We switch to red wine; we order fries with stewed meat and go to a music party at the beginning of the evening. From that moment on I do not know exactly where I am or what I'm doing. It is one blurry image of singing and dancing.

When I finally lie in bed late at night, I vaguely remember the question about what makes a human being a good person. And what actions go with it. And belongs this day to the right category? I am not sure. What I do know, I have not had so much fun for years.