Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Situation averted: another college skill

I knew there was going to be trouble.

The nicely dressed old man may have looked innocent enough, standing in the middle of the sidewalk, but I'm no longer a freshman. I saw the cardboard boxes at his feet, noticed the small green book in his hand. He was not out just to enjoy the sunshine.

I was on my way to get coffee and had no wish to be deterred. I put my head down, wore a stern look, and quickened my pace. But he would not be deterred either.

"Good morning," he said, as I walked by.

Torn between my annoyance and desire for coffee and distress at the thought of being rude to a nicely dressed old man, I said, "Good morning," but compromised by continuing to walk.

"Would you like a copy of the new testament today?"

"No, thank you," I replied over my shoulder.

Situation averted. I've learned much since I first arrived at college.

1 comment:

Ariel said...

I happen to be the owner of a bright OSU orange new testament.

I didn't know what it was last year when I got it, but I was walking by in a hurry and they stuck it out in front of me. I grabbed it and continued walking. Normally when I get stuff like that I just recycle it when I get home, but I felt weird about recycling God.