Coins

He was a small old thing who walked night and day. Never was there a day he was caught resting but also never was a day he was seen without walking. Always going from one place to another with no real sign of reason or purpose. Just filling time with travel, like hw was waiting for something. But y the years shown on his skin and how low his eyes hung it was clear he has been waiting a very long time. His shoes so worn he was barefoot with hold worn toes and heels. Dirty hair and raggedy cloths that looked as though they were once a nice outfit. 

I once stopped the man and asked who he was. I had seen him for years, heading from one place to another. His hair always grew a little longer but he never seemed to change and I felt like I knew the man but never spoke to him. He gave me no name, just told me he was busy and had to go. He went about his way. A few days later I seen him again as I was getting the mail. It was early and the sun was just coming up. I'm one of the few people up early enough to catch sight of him when he is looking for food. In and out of pales like a racoon. I went inside and fetched a few pieces of fruit and some bread. By the time I came outside he was already around the block. I approached him and offered the food. He almosy considered but turned away from my offer and left. 

I didn't see him in my neighbourh hood anymore after that. He seemed to move closer to the inner city. I couldn't imagin that is was nicer during the nights down there. I worked in the city so sometimes on my drive in I would see him just walking. I made a habit of leaving early for work so I could sit in a park near my office building for an hour and maybe catch sight of him and appologise so he would feel he didn't need to come down this far. I had also kept a change of cloths in my car I was going to offer him.

Finally one afternoon after I was off I decided to go to the park and relax and see if he would make an apperance, I brought the cloths with me just incase. Sure enough he showed up, just walking. He walked right by me and I stood up and called to him. he regognized me and with a friendly wave and smile he said hello. 

I was happy he asckowledged me. I invited him closer and I  began to explain that I was sorry for making such an offer and I didn't mean to insult him. He hushed me quickly and said it was ok. He also declined the cloths I offered him, despite he was wearing the same outfit now I seen him in weeks ago when I offered him food. He tried to tell me that he has everything he needs. I asked what he meant from this. He pulled out this little pouch like some merchant from the middle ages would carry silver and copper coins in. It was leather with a tie at the top. He opened it and showed me this coins inside. They didn't shien or luster but I knew they were gold. 

I was a little shocked but I understood why he hadn't tried to sell them, they might have some other value to him. But I still asked why. He told me a long time ago there was a woman in his life that was everything to him. He always joked around about how you invest in people and they make you grow. He laughed and told me he used to be a accountant. I laughed aswell because I was too, standing a block away from my firm. 

I asked what about the coins? He said even though investing your time and energy into people is just a metaphore that when someone loves you they leave you with something beautiful and as long as they love you that gift shines like the morning sun. But when they leave you keep your gifts, but they no longer shine like they used to. But once in a while they tend to remember you and think about how beautiful the days were together. That memory brings light into those gifts. 

So she gave you gold coins I asked. He said that part wasn't important. As he said that the coins somehow went from being dull and tarnished to somewhat more pretty and reflective. He smiled and closed his pouch and said he needed to be going. I nodded and wished him the best of luck. He smiled and went about his way. I still wonder how those coins shinned so magically, and where he was heading off to once he seen it.