What About Little John? Part Five
A true story.
We had run into the man we call Little John on a bench in this park. (photo below)
The story starts many years ago when I was walking my kids home from school.
Little John is just one of many that I chose to meet, talk to and get to know. John is not a young boy. He was about thirty-five, six-three and well over two hundred pounds when we met. He must be in his mid-forties now.
Stepping in to help and knowing when to step out of the way.
This shot was from 2017 on street view, the park where we talked.
There were no smart phones back when I bought it. It was the last thing that I have ever bought using a signature with twelve months of slavery attached to it (payments). I had to have it, my very own, first ever, digital camera. The LCD screen took up 90% of the back of it, photos and videos were saved to an SD card.
Before I even had it paid off, the first touch screen phones were coming out. Cameras were better on the latest cellular phones. Somehow my digital camera ended up in a drawer. I had stopped taking it out for birthdays and holidays. My phone did the job. I did end up needing it one day though.
Flash forward to last week's post, we left off with an "Oh, and one more thing...." moment as I left Little John. He had asked me if I had a camera he could use. So when I got home, I looked for it. There it was in the desk drawer, battery still holding a charge. The most recent photos were a couple years old. I had to look for the charger and when I found it, I cleared the old photos from the memory and bagged it to take with me next Friday.
I approached the school about four in the afternoon. I could see Little John sitting at the park. I pulled out my money clip and separated two hundred, and put those two bills in my back pocket. I have always done that. It is a good idea to have loose tens and twenties in a different pocket. I don't carry a wallet so the lose bills go in my back pocket, easy to grab for when approached by someone in need. If I am carrying a thousand dollars, I would not want to pull out all my money in front of a stranger and motivate them to rob me.
I walked on past the school and headed down the hill toward the park. John got to his feet and we shook hands. I suggested we walk to a shadier spot, pointing to the rubber tree. We sat down and talked. I pulled out the two hundred and handed to him. I have learned not to hand him money on the sidewalk with so many cars passing by, people at bus stops, plus in full view of the park. I have never been robbed and I do not want to start now. John held up the money as usual. I wondered if there were others in the park that watched for that gesture as a sign or something. No matter, nobody ever tried to steal from me there.
We talked about plans. Since I was now giving him much more than I pay for rent every month, I wanted to find out if he had been able to get a place to stay. I know he had found a place to clean up, shave and his hair was shorter, not so bushy. He said that he was trying to rent a room but they want a copy of his ID, even if it is just for a week. At that, I broke out the camera and showed him how the zoom works.
John was giddy. He took a selfie and a couple pictures of me. I took a picture of him for his ID application. We talked about jobs that he could do once he has a place to keep his belongings. He has a plan to get a food cart and sell hot dogs or hamburgers from it. I thought that was a good idea but it would depend on where he is able to rent a room. Will they allow him to bring a cart up and down the stairs every day. A coffee cart may work better.
It was hard to keep Little John on the subject of a business plan as he played with his new camera. I was not planning to ask for it back. I showed him how to take the battery out and gave him the charger. He saw me checking my watch as it was getting close to five o'clock. He knew our time had run out. I wished him the best on getting his ID squared away and told him to keep the camera. He tucked the charger into his pocket and said thank you over and over. Then he grabbed me and gave me a teddy bear hug. Unexpected.
I did not get any of those photos. I did not make a habit of taking my phone out at the park, but even if I had a photo of Little John, I would not publish it without his permission.
More coming in part six and onward here on Steemit.
Not @done yet. To be continued...
Thank you @done for posting more in this very well-written and interesting series.
It is very curious why Little John would be so very happy with a camera.....on the other hand if something sitting unused in a drawer could bring another happiness.....two parties are happy.
It is appreciated how thoughtful you are of another's privacy.
All the best to you and yours.
Cheers!
The story is developing like in fairy tale with happy end, if Little John was thinking of getting ID, hopefully a place to have a roof over his head that is a good idea. I wonder if you were successful with the possibility of jobs for John. It would be really a nice Cinderella like story then. But as you mentioned that this is a true story, I am afraid that some obstacle will be on the way of development for John.
There are jobs offered by the government, food banks and shelters. I used to volunteer to distribute food but since then I have tried to find out what the root of poverty is. What happens when more than enough is provided to someone who has nothing?
The problem in all cases is that people see money and think, "What am I going to buy with this?"
Many are not happy until the have found a use for every last dollar in the bank, drawer or in their pocket.
More on that in future posts.
Most of the circumstances that people like friend John experience are caused by family problems, from sibling fights to the loss of a loved one, can be the disappointment of a love. Many only see the money to get rid of thirst or hunger, but the feelings, disappointment or nostalgia are in there, in the soul.
I once published a post on this subject but in Spanish, I do not know how it looked when I published it in English
https://steemit.com/steempress/@jadnven/concurso-de-cuentos-fotocuento-semana-9-un-viejo-errante (Español)
https://steemit.com/steempress/@jadnven/an-old-wanderer-photo-tales (English)
You really know how to leave a hook at the end! Look forward to learning if he starts a business :)
Hello! @done. Your story is becoming interesting and I do not dare to think about the outcome, since it could end satisfactorily or tragically, I am inclined to think that this friendship helped you, as it helps us, to rethink the deal with the others, and especially with those who have less than us.
I like to rescue something from your stories, this time I think about the camera, as she manages to capture and fix things that memory keeps in another way and when remembering comes with another interpretation. Another thing that I rescue from your narration, is the impulse that you gave to change: little Jhon already thinks about renting a place for him.
I await the next part of the story.
@done, Yes, Camera phones really changed the world and many people stopped using the Digital Cameras because Mobile Handsets became the multitasking gadget and easy to use for sure. And through your words i wanted to look back in my past time because those days were awesome and surely i can say that those days were more amazing and life always moved with pleasant pace.
And this true story reflects that you are really kind towards others and you showcase the helping hand towards those who are in need and that makes this world more beautiful and Humanitarian works are really vital to spread the great vibes in our surroundings.
And i really want to appreciate for how you've helped Little John and in my opinion by giving your camera to him you showcased that you gave importance to the wish of Little John other than for that camera. And hope that Little John will going to find the right way to expand his life. Keep up the kind work.
Wishing you an great day and stay blessed. 🙂
Oh John your so lucky you meet a kindhearted person, Jhon can now start capturing photos. Jhon needs an stable home to sleep it is dangerous to had some camera while sleeping at the park..i was scared like what he said before other people stolen other things those are the bad people..i wish Jhon could find a better home to stay..
God Bless you Little Jhon,such a kindhearted person are you @done God see's your heart and works for all you've done God will not let it pass by..
May the Lord God above rain you a thousands folds of blessings.
Excellent story, and that of giving without expecting anything in return is insurmountable, it is a pleasure and fills the soul when the person who receives is grateful and blessed for what we do for them, this motivates us to give more of ourselves to others. I hope the next part!
We're still stuck to the story. The truth is that what you do is extraordinary work helping. I do not know if I laugh when you say you are careful when taking money out in front of others on the street. Here in Venezuela you take the cell phone inside your car, and this is not life, before it was not like that. Well, we will remain vigilant not to miss any episode of Little John.
a hug
I also said that I do not like to take my phone out at that park. I tend to carry a lot of cash but not in my back pocket. Banking cards and license stay in the front pocket and only when I need to use them.
There is a certain freedom that goes along with not carrying anything but a bit of cash and a comb.
I'm so used to carrying the phone on it that I would feel strange without it. My children scold me because I go for a walk and I take it, I like to take pictures of what I see on the street, but here in Venezuela it has become extremely dangerous. take care
thank you for rewarding so many, although do not believe it helps many also with that, we are your Little John. Venezuelans.
Thank you @done
i can imagine the gratitude he felt, but how are you feeling at this point? what were your thoughts? where your kids asking about little john?
The kids saw little John every day when they walked home from school. They never had the occasion to cross the busy street and go to the park unless I was with them. My goal is always the same. I like to help others help themselves.
Little John has been a lucky person to be able to count on your friendship friend @done