Something Thoughtful

  

                                             FROM PARADISE TO PAIN

            As some of the readers of this blog probably know, I sometimes guide visitors around the open bird sanctuary Tiritiri Matangi. The week before last I guided. The day was fine, the sea was calm as the ferry took me from Auckland to Gulf Harbour and then across to the island.      How beautiful the day was. Sometimes I have guided, around the island, groups of school children accompanied by teachers and/or parents. Sometimes I have guided people from other countries with foreign languages but at least we could communicate. And sometimes I have guided ordinary Kiwi and Aussie blokes and sheilas. But on this blessed day I was directed to guide only two people. They were newlyweds – a young Aussie and his Sri Lankan bride. They were, in our two-hour walk, excellent company. They were really interested in the trees and the birds and the history of the island and (oh mercy!) they even laughed at my corny jokes. They were such happy people that I asked their permission to take a photo of them and they obliged. As I left them and they had their lunch, I happily whistled as I walked back to the wharf where we wait to board. What a happy day. Perfect. As the ferry took me back to Auckland, I bought a Peroni, happily drank it, and looked forward to a happy evening. This was paradise.

            Alas, along came pain. I had to catch two buses to get back home. I caught one bus. No problem. But I had to run when I tried to catch the second bus – and running was a big mistake. I tripped over and fell straight onto the hard concrete. Bang! My left knee was grazed. My left eye just missed being damaged, but I was bruised near my left eye.  My glasses almost broke apart. One lens popped out. Two men, waiting for another bus, helped me to get up as I scrabble to get my broken glasses. I thanked them, put the glasses in my deep pocket and just made the bus. But all the way home I was holding my handkerchief against the bleeding near my left eye. The handkerchief became redder and redder. I groaned a little and walked home slowly. Here’s the pain after the paradise. I don’t imagine this unpleasant episode was a great disaster. The bruises became darker near the left eye and the knee was still stinging for a while. But after a few days there was no pain at all. When I look in the mirror now I see a mildly grumpy face annoyed that the bruises are taking some time to clear up, but no real damage. Within a few days my glasses were fixed for a small price. People have suffered much, much more pain than I have ever known.

            But I still can’t help thinking that some devil had deliberately sabotaged my perfect day.