The search for reason is a life long passion. We brew it in our minds and everyday we unconsciously reach out to find it.

In this fast paced world there lives a curious man who walked slowly amidst an army of workers rushing to get to their jobs on time. He walked noticeably slower than the rest and occasionally looks up and stares at the clouds, comparing their shapes to funny furry creatures. He giggles. He smiles. Not a shroud of urgency in his face or in his ways.

The man was on his way to get some take out food from his favorite dimsum place just around the corner, a few blocks from where he lived. He wore slippers and you could tell from his hair that he has not had a shower for that day.

Everyone he passed gave him a stare – judging him for the way he looked and for getting on their way. He walked slowly and everyone tried to get ahead of him. It doesn’t bother him, “What’s all the rush about?” he thought to himself. “Its a beautiful day. The sky is blue and the clouds are particularly playful today.” Those were his thoughts. As he walked, he whistled in his head, an all familiar tune from his favorite cartoon. The Simpsons theme which he repeated and occasionally jazzed up in his empty head.

When he reached the door to his favorite dimsum place, a short line was there but it didn’t bother him. He knew exactly what he wanted and the lady in the counter knew exactly what he would order. He looked up and counted the other customers in front of him – one, two and three. “A good 3 minutes”, he concluded in his head. Shouldn’t take long for his dimsum to be prepared.

It was now his turn to order but as the previous customer walked by, he wondered and took a peek at what was in that customer’s bag. He saw 2 sodas but only 1 straw. “Interesting” he whispered to himself. Anyhow, back in the counter he pointed to his regular steamed pork dumplings and paid.

On his way back to his studio apartment, he overhears a conversation or rather an argument. The 2 were arguing about supplies and travel. He couldn’t ignore the loud voice – something about a job, a party, a daughter and being a father.

Curious man that he is, he turned to his right and took a quick look at the 2 who were arguing. The previous customer with 2 sodas and one straw talking to what looks to be his boss. The man wondered and concluded in his head, “He was probably having a bad day so he got 2 sodas for that day.”

A block away from his apartment building, he saw an old lady having a good laugh with some regulars in her small stand of cigarettes and candies. He wasn’t rushing to get home so he crossed the street and had a quick smoke. Again, curious as could be, he listened to the conversation. Something about a show on TV that the regulars were telling the old lady.

After the cigarette, he walked over to one of the regulars and asked, “What’s the story of the old lady?” the regular responded, “We hang around to tell her stories, she has no family and friends, this stall, this job and… all of us is her life.”

“Now that’s a sad story but if you think about it, going to work everyday gave this old lady a life.” he thought to himself. And then he thought about the father who couldn’t go to his daughters party – that’s sad too because his work got in the way of his life.

When he got home, he couldn’t stop thinking about it.  So he opened a beer and wrote it here.

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