The Kindness of Strangers

I had a transportation crisis this morning.

Today of all days! I've been awaiting my big chance to do my first family storytime at the downtown library. Of course at 2:00 am last night I was polishing off my preparations, having procrastinated most of the week on this, but no matter.

About two blocks from my house, the chain disengaged and became jammed on my bike when shifting gears (my bike is such an old school road bike that I try to change gears as little as possible, I think the burn is good for my figure!). After a near accident I managed to dump my heavily weighed down bike (books! books! puppets!) on the side of the road. Grease smeared up my arms and across my leg, which is tremendously bruised at this point. In near tearful frustration, knowing I would surely be late after returning home, and getting all my stuff to the car and searching for parking downtown...I in total desperation asked a nice looking couple if they knew anything about bike gears. Obviously I shouldn't be riding a bike!

Dressed quite nicely and out for a stroll, I had a feeling this muscular fellow wouldn't want to look bad in front of his lady. Soon he had my bike flipped over and was as grease smeared as myself, exclaiming, "What did you do to this thing!?"...the best is yet to come. A curious older man wandered out of a nearby apartment building and inquired if we needed anything. The couple smiled and the grease smeared fellow said, "Hey daddy, do you have a screwdriver or something that we can knock this with?" The fellow took a look, nodded and headed off, after a bit of discussion. The fellow helping me out shouted, "Thanks, daddy!"

Okay, well that 's interesting I thought. Friendly folk. The girl wandered closer and said, "Uh, do you know that guy?" He replied, "Heck no, I'm just trying to see how many times I can call him daddy!" I looked from one to the other in utter astonishment and burst out into laughter.

They had me up and running in no time at all. I have to admit that I probably pressured the guy into helping me and he was a little reluctant to actually get dirty at first (I don't blame him). I have to say things really started to happen when I said, "Oh dear, I'm going to be late for storytime down at the library!" He looked at me in surprise and said, "Are you a librarian?" On an affirmative answer, he really kicked it into high gear! And his partner asked, "Is there anything I can do to help?"

...One librarian back on the road in a mere fifteen minutes, with the help of three random strangers. Only five minutes late, grease smeared and sweaty. I think I made a terrific impression. Well, I was asked to do two more sessions there, but alas I'm already working. And this storytime was my best yet. Maybe I was still high on adrenaline!

I've never asked so much of strangers before. I feel so much gratitude towards these people who I don't even know...I would do the same but somehow you don't expect it of others.