Giving and receiving

You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.

~John Wooden

Once upon a time, there was a Boy.

Boy lived in a valley of mountain and snow. The mountains always stayed. The snow did not. Summer was coming! Boy couldn't wait to spend some time in the sun. The gentle rays of warmth washing over him...

Boy opened his eyes, sighing with regret. Inside the library, he looked out the windows at the clear, chilly sky outside. Soon.

Boy looked around at the rows and rows of computers. Full of students. Not one open. Boy settled down to wait. A girl had been standing there already, waiting. A few other boys and girls join Boy and Girl, standing impatiently, waiting for someone to finish.

Minutes passed. Boy thought of homework to complete, exams to be studied for and taken, his date this weekend, his plans for the summer.... summer....

Movement! A computer was free! Freed from the shackles of one student, only for seconds, to be again snared to do another's bidding.

It was not Boy's turn. He stood there waiting patiently.

But wait!

Girl was supposed to go next! Why was an inconsiderate boy moving toward the computer? Girl had a resigned expression on her face, disappointed but accepting the blow.

Boy didn't think, didn't have to reason, doesn't have to know Girl. Without saying anything to her, he marched over to the inconsiderate boy and politely informed him that he was out of turn, that Girl was next to get the computer. Inconsiderate boy didn't hesitate to show his annoyance. But he stepped aside. Boy motioned to Girl.

Girl came over, shyly said thank you and sat down at the computer to quietly begin her crucial homework assignments.

The Boy/Hero walked back to his place to wait for another computer, silently and without fanfare. Thinking of summer. Oblivious to the boy in the blue glasses next to him who had wordlessly observed the scene. Who thanked Boy in his mind. Who has now written down this story. Who asks, "What can I do today?"