I do love a good story, particularly one with a powerful lesson.
So here’s an insight of experience I very much enjoyed this week.
I'm not going to tell you the moral it carries.
Because I know you'll understand immediately, will probably smile, and quite likely remember the tale.
Which are some of the reasons I so very much delight in stories, and their impact in communication.
.
It was evening time, and I was walking through a park in Cambridge.
The sun was shining, the air was warm and full of birdsong.
It was a beautiful summer treat of soulfulness, so I sat awhile on a bench to enjoy the moment.
.
Walking towards me was a young couple.
Initially, I couldn’t hear their words, but I could tell all was not well.
He was gesturing grumpily, she was shaking her head and shrugging, lips firmly pursed.
.
As they moved closer, I caught some of their dialogue:
- Told you we shouldn’t have come here. There’s nothing to do apart from looking at scabby old buildings.
- We could try a walk along the river.
- Wow, how exciting. Not.
- What about drink in a pub?
- At these prices? I’d rather go home.
- How do you fancy sitting for awhile?
- And do what? Let’s just go home. There’s a bus in half an hour.
.
The couple had walked past by this time, but then suddenly stopped.
They'd both registered one the wonderful wildflower meadows we're privileged to enjoy here in Cambridge:
A fantastic display of colours, textures, scents, and sheer joy.
.
I made a quick bet with myself, then got up and continued walking…
I just had to find out if I was right.
(Well, you know pompous old me.)
As I neared the couple, I could once again overhear them:
.
- This angle, the colours are better.
- No, here, the light’s better.
.
It took a few seconds, but eventually they settled on the perfect backdrop.
Out came the phone and it was on with the selfies, the pair all beaming smiles of pure happiness.
.
I couldn’t help having to know exactly what happened next.
So I faked a loose shoelace, and paused to deal with it.
.
- Just keep it short. I want to get going.
- Okay, how about "Great times" for the words.
- No, something better. What about "Living our best lives." That'll do.
.
A bit of phone fiddling, and that was it, selfie duly posted.
And so the couple resumed walking. And talking.
Just. Like. Before.
.
- Come on, let’s get home. I don’t know why we came here in the first place.
- It was your idea.
- No it wasn’t.
- Yes, it was.
- Jesus, you're annoying.
- Not as much as you are.
.
A pause, and thankfully they faded out of earshot, leaving me with just the last words...
- How many likes have we got?
