My Best Friend Jim.
In several stories which I narrated, I often mentioned my friend Jim and how he often helped me when I was in difficulty.
Jim and I have been friends since we were kids. We were in the same class most of the time in the Primary School. By pure coincidence were have the same last name but we are not related. When we were young we were neighbors. Besides, as I mentioned in one of my stories, during the summer months when we were still teenagers, our families went to the same seaside village where we had our summer houses near each other, so we kept being neighbors also in summer.
In several stories which I narrated, I often mentioned my friend Jim and how he often helped me when I was in difficulty.
Jim and I have been friends since we were kids. We were in the same class most of the time in the Primary School. By pure coincidence were have the same last name but we are not related. When we were young we were neighbors. Besides, as I mentioned in one of my stories, during the summer months when we were still teenagers, our families went to the same seaside village where we had our summer houses near each other, so we kept being neighbors also in summer.
Physically we are very different because he is short and I am tall and when we were seen together, some for our friends called us the odd couple. He is one year older than I am. We used to go to the same primary. In class we did not sit near each other because being short and also short sighted he had to stay in a front bench. On the contrary, I had to sit in one of the back benches but fortunately I have good eyesight. As regards our schooling, Jim was not that keen and many times I had to come to his rescue because often he did not do his homework and he would come to me few minutes before the school doors opened and we would sit down on someone’s doorstep and give him my exercise book to copy my work.
One of our childhood regular things was to go every Wednesday to the stationary and buy several comics (Topper, Beezer, Beano, Dandy) which at that time, about sixty years ago, were very popular with children of our age. One has to consider that then we had no televisions or computers. As soon as we bought our comics we would sit down on the nearest doorstep and see how the various stories developed and we would comment with interest on the stories which we followed with eagerness from one week to the next. These comics included stories about cowboys and Indians, funny stories, adventure stories and also classics such as Treasure Island, Robinson Crusoe and Kidnapped which were told in pictures with the original story written underneath each picture. I still have some of these comics not for the stories but for the artistic way they were drawn; some were really fascinating and they really are works of art.
Of course at our age, we were then about ten, we often did naughty things just to have a laugh. One of our naughty pranks was to go to some quiet shop, pretending to buy some things for mother and then after the poor shopkeeper would pack everything in a bag and give us the bill, we would pretend that we forgot the money and to make it look more realistic we would sort of quarrel, blaming each other for not bringing the money. Some shopkeepers would be gentle enough to suggest that we should go home and bring the money while he or she would keep the goods which we were supposed to have bought, till we returned......... which of course we never did. But more often than not we would end up laughing our heart out instead of quarreling and then we would run out of the shop because some shopkeepers would not appreciate the joke.
Then we had this very powerful magnet and there was this particular shop which sold thin toys. He arranged these things in a shop window which had these narrow shelves very close to the glass. What we did was that when the shop was closed for the mid-day break, we would go and with this magnet we would cause a particular toy to fall down from the shelf and it would disappear down at the base of the shop window which was difficult to see. Then later on, we would go and ask the shopkeeper for that particular toy. Then as he approached the shop window we used to notice the expression on his face when he would not find it and he could not imagine how it disappeared. This we did several times till our game was up and so when he discovered our game, he began to shout and say that he was going to call the police. This made us run away and never show our faces again there but we found other shops and the game was still on.
But what we remember and mention most willingly when we meet, also these days, are our streets fights. Yes, you read correctly ‘Street Fights’. Let me explain before you get the wrong idea about me. In those days, more than today there were bullies at school These bullies usually were bullies because they had a hard face but some of them were just B.S., although the way they spoke and the way they acted was enough to frighten many of the other children. Now, one can say that I have a clean face. I surely do not look like a tough guy and a bully and in truth I never was. But I am tall and well built. I do not know why but several of these bullies did their best to pick up a fight with me. Perhaps they thought that being tall they would impress more their fans if they beat me. They were sure that I was easy game for them. But I was not that easily frightened even because at home we were five boys all strong and tall and as in every family boys would fight every now and then. So, one can say that I was well trained and used to fighting. I will mention just two of these fights.
One of our childhood regular things was to go every Wednesday to the stationary and buy several comics (Topper, Beezer, Beano, Dandy) which at that time, about sixty years ago, were very popular with children of our age. One has to consider that then we had no televisions or computers. As soon as we bought our comics we would sit down on the nearest doorstep and see how the various stories developed and we would comment with interest on the stories which we followed with eagerness from one week to the next. These comics included stories about cowboys and Indians, funny stories, adventure stories and also classics such as Treasure Island, Robinson Crusoe and Kidnapped which were told in pictures with the original story written underneath each picture. I still have some of these comics not for the stories but for the artistic way they were drawn; some were really fascinating and they really are works of art.
Of course at our age, we were then about ten, we often did naughty things just to have a laugh. One of our naughty pranks was to go to some quiet shop, pretending to buy some things for mother and then after the poor shopkeeper would pack everything in a bag and give us the bill, we would pretend that we forgot the money and to make it look more realistic we would sort of quarrel, blaming each other for not bringing the money. Some shopkeepers would be gentle enough to suggest that we should go home and bring the money while he or she would keep the goods which we were supposed to have bought, till we returned......... which of course we never did. But more often than not we would end up laughing our heart out instead of quarreling and then we would run out of the shop because some shopkeepers would not appreciate the joke.
Then we had this very powerful magnet and there was this particular shop which sold thin toys. He arranged these things in a shop window which had these narrow shelves very close to the glass. What we did was that when the shop was closed for the mid-day break, we would go and with this magnet we would cause a particular toy to fall down from the shelf and it would disappear down at the base of the shop window which was difficult to see. Then later on, we would go and ask the shopkeeper for that particular toy. Then as he approached the shop window we used to notice the expression on his face when he would not find it and he could not imagine how it disappeared. This we did several times till our game was up and so when he discovered our game, he began to shout and say that he was going to call the police. This made us run away and never show our faces again there but we found other shops and the game was still on.
But what we remember and mention most willingly when we meet, also these days, are our streets fights. Yes, you read correctly ‘Street Fights’. Let me explain before you get the wrong idea about me. In those days, more than today there were bullies at school These bullies usually were bullies because they had a hard face but some of them were just B.S., although the way they spoke and the way they acted was enough to frighten many of the other children. Now, one can say that I have a clean face. I surely do not look like a tough guy and a bully and in truth I never was. But I am tall and well built. I do not know why but several of these bullies did their best to pick up a fight with me. Perhaps they thought that being tall they would impress more their fans if they beat me. They were sure that I was easy game for them. But I was not that easily frightened even because at home we were five boys all strong and tall and as in every family boys would fight every now and then. So, one can say that I was well trained and used to fighting. I will mention just two of these fights.
Jim and I when we were teenagers Jim (summer version)
So one day my friend Jim came over to me and told me that Karl the killer wanted to have a fight with me after school in a nearby field that very afternoon. This Karl the Killer was a very cruel boy; in fact he used to hurt animals just for a laugh. He was also famous for giving a hard time to many of the teachers…....... he surely wasn’t afraid of them even because he knew they could not beat him or hit him because it was against the law. Of course he also had many fights with other boys and he always triumphed and after the fight he and his friends would celebrate the victory by insulting and throwing all sorts of things to the boy who was defeated and his allies.
When Jim gave me the news I was a bit puzzled because I never had anything to do with this guy so why would he want to fight with me. This was the first thing in the morning and I was worried all through the morning lessons. During the mid-day break I received the second message from him. I was in the yard with Jim and two of Karl’s friends approached me and told me bluntly that after school, I better be in that field because if I tried to run away there were several of Karl’s friends who would make sure that this would not happen. I did not show them that I was afraid but I asked the one who spoke to me if there was a reason for the fight. In an arrogant voice he said,
”Of course there is, Karl just wants to show you that he can beat you up easily because you are a good for nothing tall stupid boy,” I replied without the least hesitation. “Is this what Karl thinks of me? Just tell him that he has nothing to worry about because I will surely be there and we will see who beats who!”
Now to be honest I had serious doubts whether I was able to beat Karl not because he was bigger and stronger than me because he wasn’t, but his notoriety of being a top fighter was so great that I feared that he had some super skills which I would not be able to handle. Nevertheless, now there was no way of turning back and after all I was forced to do this so I might as well prepare myself to all eventualities. I told Jim to tell as many of our close friends as possible about the fight and urge them to come to our support that afternoon in the field near the school.
You can understand how I felt all through the afternoon lessons and when the bell rang, I almost felt my feet going weak. But off we went to the field which was only few minutes away. There was already a small crowd of boys and I could see that there were several of our friends too which did give me courage. When the allies of Karl the killer saw me approaching they begun to boo me and insult me. This made me angry to the point that now I felt that these people really needed a lesson and I was there to give it to them because such arrogance was unbearable. Now I felt hyper and ready to explode and all the fear left me and I was eager to get it over with. Jim was there by my side as my second. I gave him my satchel to hold for me and in no time I stood face to face with my rival. But to show him that I was ready and willing I took off my school jacket and handed it to Jim. Karl was already with his fists prepared to start their job. He wore a sarcastic smile on his face which made me want to wipe it away as soon as possible.
Then one of Karl’s friends came over and said, “When I count to three the fight is on.”
“Stop for a second,” I said looking at Karl, “are you sure you want to proceed with this?
“Of course I do …........ are you afraid and want to back off as a coward?” was his reply.
I looked around and addressed all those present in quite a loud voice, “So let all of you know that he is the one to want all this. I do not even know this guy but if he wants me to beat him that badly that I will surely oblige!” At these words Karl was quite shocked and looked at his friends some of whom were smiling at what I said. But being a tough guy he said in a mocking voice “Shut up and let me start demolishing you,” and then he said to his friend, “just count to three.” Perfect silence! Then, “One, Two, Three!”
Before the “Three” was over, Karl flung his right hand with all his might. He had his fist with the knuckles pointing straight at my face. But I was faster because I dropped on my knees and his hand went above my head. While I was in that position I pushed Karl with both hands and being somewhat off balance because he surely was not excepting to miss me, he fell backwards. I jumped on him , stretched out his arms and put my knees one on each arm, then with my left hand I grabbed his throat and with my right one I pointed my fist in his face. Then I said, “My dear friend you are now at my mercy, I do not want to hurt you. So admit in front of all these boys that you lost the fight?” Without saying a word he begun to struggle to set himself free, but I squeezed tightly at his neck and pushed my knees further down on his arm and pressed my right hand to his face. His legs which had started to fling wildly, now dropped down when he saw that I meant business. I asked him again, “Admit defeat if you do not want me to hurt you.” All the boys gathered closer around us and the poor killer was surely being humiliated. His friends did not react although they saw their hero in that situation because they knew that I could hurt him badly any time I wanted to. Besides, by now my friends were delirious shouting and jumping around.
But I shouted, “Stop all of you; I still did not hear you accept defeat Karl.” “You were just lucky,” he said. “What?” I shouted, “You are the lucky one because if I were half as cruel as you, I would have already cut you to pieces,” and to show him that I still could, I lifted my fist pretending to hit him but I stopped half way…. “I am still waiting for your answer Karl or do I proceed,” and I squeezed his neck just a little. Then at last he said, “OK, OK you win, just let me go.”
“I will let you go but do not try again to get yourself in useless trouble because next time you might get hurt badly.” And having said that I took off my knees from above his arms then still holding his neck, I offered my hand which he grabbed and I helped him up, still holding his neck. He grabbed my hand which was holding his neck with both his hands and tried to take it off but all I had to do was squeeze a little more and he would behave. Now Karl I will let you go and I will also tell my friends not to make fun of you and by the way if you want me to give you some lessons on professional fighting I will give you a good price, OK?” and with that I squeezed yet once more his throat just a little and let him go. All my friends clapped with all their might and Karl and his friends disappeared in record time.
When Jim gave me the news I was a bit puzzled because I never had anything to do with this guy so why would he want to fight with me. This was the first thing in the morning and I was worried all through the morning lessons. During the mid-day break I received the second message from him. I was in the yard with Jim and two of Karl’s friends approached me and told me bluntly that after school, I better be in that field because if I tried to run away there were several of Karl’s friends who would make sure that this would not happen. I did not show them that I was afraid but I asked the one who spoke to me if there was a reason for the fight. In an arrogant voice he said,
”Of course there is, Karl just wants to show you that he can beat you up easily because you are a good for nothing tall stupid boy,” I replied without the least hesitation. “Is this what Karl thinks of me? Just tell him that he has nothing to worry about because I will surely be there and we will see who beats who!”
Now to be honest I had serious doubts whether I was able to beat Karl not because he was bigger and stronger than me because he wasn’t, but his notoriety of being a top fighter was so great that I feared that he had some super skills which I would not be able to handle. Nevertheless, now there was no way of turning back and after all I was forced to do this so I might as well prepare myself to all eventualities. I told Jim to tell as many of our close friends as possible about the fight and urge them to come to our support that afternoon in the field near the school.
You can understand how I felt all through the afternoon lessons and when the bell rang, I almost felt my feet going weak. But off we went to the field which was only few minutes away. There was already a small crowd of boys and I could see that there were several of our friends too which did give me courage. When the allies of Karl the killer saw me approaching they begun to boo me and insult me. This made me angry to the point that now I felt that these people really needed a lesson and I was there to give it to them because such arrogance was unbearable. Now I felt hyper and ready to explode and all the fear left me and I was eager to get it over with. Jim was there by my side as my second. I gave him my satchel to hold for me and in no time I stood face to face with my rival. But to show him that I was ready and willing I took off my school jacket and handed it to Jim. Karl was already with his fists prepared to start their job. He wore a sarcastic smile on his face which made me want to wipe it away as soon as possible.
Then one of Karl’s friends came over and said, “When I count to three the fight is on.”
“Stop for a second,” I said looking at Karl, “are you sure you want to proceed with this?
“Of course I do …........ are you afraid and want to back off as a coward?” was his reply.
I looked around and addressed all those present in quite a loud voice, “So let all of you know that he is the one to want all this. I do not even know this guy but if he wants me to beat him that badly that I will surely oblige!” At these words Karl was quite shocked and looked at his friends some of whom were smiling at what I said. But being a tough guy he said in a mocking voice “Shut up and let me start demolishing you,” and then he said to his friend, “just count to three.” Perfect silence! Then, “One, Two, Three!”
Before the “Three” was over, Karl flung his right hand with all his might. He had his fist with the knuckles pointing straight at my face. But I was faster because I dropped on my knees and his hand went above my head. While I was in that position I pushed Karl with both hands and being somewhat off balance because he surely was not excepting to miss me, he fell backwards. I jumped on him , stretched out his arms and put my knees one on each arm, then with my left hand I grabbed his throat and with my right one I pointed my fist in his face. Then I said, “My dear friend you are now at my mercy, I do not want to hurt you. So admit in front of all these boys that you lost the fight?” Without saying a word he begun to struggle to set himself free, but I squeezed tightly at his neck and pushed my knees further down on his arm and pressed my right hand to his face. His legs which had started to fling wildly, now dropped down when he saw that I meant business. I asked him again, “Admit defeat if you do not want me to hurt you.” All the boys gathered closer around us and the poor killer was surely being humiliated. His friends did not react although they saw their hero in that situation because they knew that I could hurt him badly any time I wanted to. Besides, by now my friends were delirious shouting and jumping around.
But I shouted, “Stop all of you; I still did not hear you accept defeat Karl.” “You were just lucky,” he said. “What?” I shouted, “You are the lucky one because if I were half as cruel as you, I would have already cut you to pieces,” and to show him that I still could, I lifted my fist pretending to hit him but I stopped half way…. “I am still waiting for your answer Karl or do I proceed,” and I squeezed his neck just a little. Then at last he said, “OK, OK you win, just let me go.”
“I will let you go but do not try again to get yourself in useless trouble because next time you might get hurt badly.” And having said that I took off my knees from above his arms then still holding his neck, I offered my hand which he grabbed and I helped him up, still holding his neck. He grabbed my hand which was holding his neck with both his hands and tried to take it off but all I had to do was squeeze a little more and he would behave. Now Karl I will let you go and I will also tell my friends not to make fun of you and by the way if you want me to give you some lessons on professional fighting I will give you a good price, OK?” and with that I squeezed yet once more his throat just a little and let him go. All my friends clapped with all their might and Karl and his friends disappeared in record time.
The next fight which I am going to narrate was not so spectacular but the challenger, Wally, was one of those guys who likes to makes fun of everyone, in fact he always worked with his cousin. These two were a perfect match because they often approached somebody and with their way of leg pulling and practical joking out of place, they succeeded to create a group of people who despised them. I was one of their victims although they did not affect me that much and I did my best to avoid them or ignore them. But once they went too far and something had to be done.
The set up was not the ideal for a fight and I am sort of ashamed of what I did that day. I am saying this because the day these two picked to make my life hell was Easter. In those days, if I recall well, Easter was celebrated on Saturday Morning (I may be mistaken but that is how I remember it.). There was this custom that during the church function, when the priest arrived at a point where he sang the, ’Gloria ’ those people who wanted could take with them a small bell and ring it to celebrate the rising of the Lord from death.
Jim and I were in Church and we had quite a bell because its sound was loud. Just remember that we were just ten or eleven year old, so to ring a bell with all our might in church was something that we considered to be enjoyable so we were there waiting eagerly for that moment. But our tranquility did not last long because the two cousins came and sat right besides us and started to ridicule and make fun of us in their usual way. I tried to tell them that it was neither the place nor the day to do this sort of thing. But it was all in vain. So Jim and I decided to go to another part of the church as far away from them as possible. But just two minutes later they were again sitting besides us. This time they wanted the bell. I told them that when it will be time to ring it, I will lend it to them. But they insisted to have it soon. We again went to yet another place this time we stood close to the altar where the priest could see us hoping that they won’t dare come but they did.
Jim was holding the bell and Wally grabbed it from his hand. I told him to give me the bell but he refused. Soon the time arrived when those who had a bell could ring it and Wally rang the bell for as long as it was permitted and we of course, did not. Then I told him to give it to me since he got what he wanted after all. His answer was that he will give it to me just after mass if we went with them in the street behind the church. I asked him why. He just told me that if I wanted to have my bell back I should fight him and if I win, he will give it to me.
The mass ended and I had to follow them to get my bell. Jim was always beside me. When we arrived in the place, I asked him to be reasonable and give me the bell and let us go, but he wanted to fight me. Again, why this chap thought that he could beat me, I can’t imagine because he was not a big guy at all, at least compared to me.
My temper was now at its limit. I really got angry and I grabbed Wally from his chest by his pullover and told him that if he will not give me my bell I will get serious. He tossed the bell to his cousin who did not catch it and Jim caught it instead. I thought that it was going to end there but Wally, seeing that the bell was ours, he gave me a hard punch on the left side of my face. Now I did not see any more. As I was grabbing him by his pullover, I pulled him until his pullover came over his head and then I dragged him to the ground and kept on pulling but the pullover stuck because of his head and arms. I kept pulling and turning him in circles as if in some ice skating show. Then Jim started to ring the bell and I kept circling Wally by his jersey while his body was hardly touching the ground. Then I let him go and he kept rolling along the street and hit two or three rubbish bins which were placed there for the dust man to pick. Wally was all dust and rubbish and dirty things. Some women came out and went to help him and they even scolded me to have done that to him. If only they knew!! Wally and his cousin had surely learned their lesson because they never dared bother me any more.
Believe me I am everything but cruel and the above episodes and others similar to them, I did not do because I like fighting but sometimes people make you do things which you do not want.
The set up was not the ideal for a fight and I am sort of ashamed of what I did that day. I am saying this because the day these two picked to make my life hell was Easter. In those days, if I recall well, Easter was celebrated on Saturday Morning (I may be mistaken but that is how I remember it.). There was this custom that during the church function, when the priest arrived at a point where he sang the, ’Gloria ’ those people who wanted could take with them a small bell and ring it to celebrate the rising of the Lord from death.
Jim and I were in Church and we had quite a bell because its sound was loud. Just remember that we were just ten or eleven year old, so to ring a bell with all our might in church was something that we considered to be enjoyable so we were there waiting eagerly for that moment. But our tranquility did not last long because the two cousins came and sat right besides us and started to ridicule and make fun of us in their usual way. I tried to tell them that it was neither the place nor the day to do this sort of thing. But it was all in vain. So Jim and I decided to go to another part of the church as far away from them as possible. But just two minutes later they were again sitting besides us. This time they wanted the bell. I told them that when it will be time to ring it, I will lend it to them. But they insisted to have it soon. We again went to yet another place this time we stood close to the altar where the priest could see us hoping that they won’t dare come but they did.
Jim was holding the bell and Wally grabbed it from his hand. I told him to give me the bell but he refused. Soon the time arrived when those who had a bell could ring it and Wally rang the bell for as long as it was permitted and we of course, did not. Then I told him to give it to me since he got what he wanted after all. His answer was that he will give it to me just after mass if we went with them in the street behind the church. I asked him why. He just told me that if I wanted to have my bell back I should fight him and if I win, he will give it to me.
The mass ended and I had to follow them to get my bell. Jim was always beside me. When we arrived in the place, I asked him to be reasonable and give me the bell and let us go, but he wanted to fight me. Again, why this chap thought that he could beat me, I can’t imagine because he was not a big guy at all, at least compared to me.
My temper was now at its limit. I really got angry and I grabbed Wally from his chest by his pullover and told him that if he will not give me my bell I will get serious. He tossed the bell to his cousin who did not catch it and Jim caught it instead. I thought that it was going to end there but Wally, seeing that the bell was ours, he gave me a hard punch on the left side of my face. Now I did not see any more. As I was grabbing him by his pullover, I pulled him until his pullover came over his head and then I dragged him to the ground and kept on pulling but the pullover stuck because of his head and arms. I kept pulling and turning him in circles as if in some ice skating show. Then Jim started to ring the bell and I kept circling Wally by his jersey while his body was hardly touching the ground. Then I let him go and he kept rolling along the street and hit two or three rubbish bins which were placed there for the dust man to pick. Wally was all dust and rubbish and dirty things. Some women came out and went to help him and they even scolded me to have done that to him. If only they knew!! Wally and his cousin had surely learned their lesson because they never dared bother me any more.
Believe me I am everything but cruel and the above episodes and others similar to them, I did not do because I like fighting but sometimes people make you do things which you do not want.
But let me continue to narrate the main points of the friendship between Jim and myself.
When the time came for us to go to a secondary School, Jim chose to go to a Technical School while I chose to go to an Academic School. So we did not attend the same school anymore but we surely remained the best of friends. When I was injured ( see story # 2) and had to spend a long time in hospital, Jim was the only friend I had who visited me regularly both when I was in hospital and also when I had to stay at home. Before I met my girlfriend, Jim and I used to be always together.
Then when he was about twenty six he decided to emigrate to Australia to try his luck there. I missed him very much but we kept contact through regular letters. He did not stay there for long because after about six years he came back to stay. I really gave him a warm welcome and we talked about his adventures during that period. One thing which gave me satisfaction was that he told me that from all the friends he had, I was the only one to have kept corresponding with him regularly through all the time that he was abroad. So one can say that Jim and I are true friends because we were there for each other when one of us was in need……they say that, “A friend in need is a friend indeed”
Now for the present. We are both quite old men but the difference is that I had a much harder life than his because he never married and enjoyed life as a single. Although I have to give him credit that after the death of his father and mother, being the only man around the house, he dedicated much of his life taking care of his two sisters. But he travelled a lot. He always had the latest cars and now although he is almost seventy one, he just bought a quad bike which he uses regularly. We still see each other quite often and when an occasion arises we help each other.
When the time came for us to go to a secondary School, Jim chose to go to a Technical School while I chose to go to an Academic School. So we did not attend the same school anymore but we surely remained the best of friends. When I was injured ( see story # 2) and had to spend a long time in hospital, Jim was the only friend I had who visited me regularly both when I was in hospital and also when I had to stay at home. Before I met my girlfriend, Jim and I used to be always together.
Then when he was about twenty six he decided to emigrate to Australia to try his luck there. I missed him very much but we kept contact through regular letters. He did not stay there for long because after about six years he came back to stay. I really gave him a warm welcome and we talked about his adventures during that period. One thing which gave me satisfaction was that he told me that from all the friends he had, I was the only one to have kept corresponding with him regularly through all the time that he was abroad. So one can say that Jim and I are true friends because we were there for each other when one of us was in need……they say that, “A friend in need is a friend indeed”
Now for the present. We are both quite old men but the difference is that I had a much harder life than his because he never married and enjoyed life as a single. Although I have to give him credit that after the death of his father and mother, being the only man around the house, he dedicated much of his life taking care of his two sisters. But he travelled a lot. He always had the latest cars and now although he is almost seventy one, he just bought a quad bike which he uses regularly. We still see each other quite often and when an occasion arises we help each other.
One thing that I never could understand was that when we were young we both were very keen swimmers. But throughout the years he lost his interest to go to the sea in spite of my inviting him to come with me swimming, boating, fishing or diving. But last year his niece who lives abroad came to visit him and he himself asked me if I could spare a couple of hours and take them for a ride in my boat. They enjoyed it so much that soon after he told me if we can do it again and this time he wished to bring two of his friends who always wished but never had such an experience.
Soon we were off on a boat trip around the island
We first had a meeting and he introduced me to his friends. One is a carpenter and the other is a pharmacist……as they said they were always too busy in their shops and never bothered to enjoy certain things such as the beauty of the sea. I really wonder about this because how can one living on a small island and not take advantage of the many pleasures that our sea can offer.
We met at my house and together we planned how to spend a day at sea. For them this was like a special occasion and they were very enthusiastic. I suggested that if it was nice weather. we would go on a trip with my boat around the island. They liked the idea and together we searched the internet to see the weather report for the coming week. It showed that that week it was going to be just fine for our adventure. So we discussed things. I suggested that they should bring a pair of flippers and a mask. They did not have any but they were all willing to buy them.
We met at my house and together we planned how to spend a day at sea. For them this was like a special occasion and they were very enthusiastic. I suggested that if it was nice weather. we would go on a trip with my boat around the island. They liked the idea and together we searched the internet to see the weather report for the coming week. It showed that that week it was going to be just fine for our adventure. So we discussed things. I suggested that they should bring a pair of flippers and a mask. They did not have any but they were all willing to buy them.
As we sped along the coast we enjoyed the change of scenery......
The day that they were expecting so much arrived. They were dead on time. The sea was excellent. Soon we were off. One cannot imagine the ecstatic joy that Jim’s friends had all through the trip. They were like little children exploring a new world. As we sped along they enjoyed the sea breeze on their faces which they described as a new sensation. We travelled about a kilometer away from the coast so that they could enjoy the change of scenery as we went around the island. They were all exclamations,"Look at this! Look at that! See that cave? How beautiful are these cliffs!…….. " It was as if I took them to New York or to Hawaii. We stopped for a swim and from the look of it, it was ages since they swam last. Then we stopped in a seaside village, went ashore and had a wonderful dinner. The day passed quickly and after about five or six hours, we arrived from where we had left. The trip round the island was a great success.
We stopped at a seaside village, went ashore Looking at the Break water at the entrance of
and had a wonderful dinner the Grand Harbor
and had a wonderful dinner the Grand Harbor
All through the winter months, when I met Jim or his friends, they would mention how much they had enjoyed themselves that day when I took them in my boat. They found out that they were missing something special. In fact this summer we already met and went on a day’s boat trip again and we plan to do it again before this summer is over.
My old friend Jim! I do not think if there are many true friends as Jim and I are to each other. It is really something special to have a true loyal friend in one’s life…….. “I thank you for your friendship Jim, my dearest friend.”
Quote of the day:
In every out-thrust headland, in every curving beach, in every grain of sand there is a story of the earth.
Rachel Carson
My old friend Jim! I do not think if there are many true friends as Jim and I are to each other. It is really something special to have a true loyal friend in one’s life…….. “I thank you for your friendship Jim, my dearest friend.”
Quote of the day:
In every out-thrust headland, in every curving beach, in every grain of sand there is a story of the earth.
Rachel Carson