A Story from a Fishmonger’s Shop

A few days ago, a friend told me that he was in a fishmonger’s shop, waiting for its owner to finish what he had ordered for lunch for himself and for his household. A man came in, and asked the fishmonger if he can buy fried bread (only) for two people, perhaps for himself and his wife. For those who do not know, in Lebanon, this fried bread is bundled free of charge by the fishmonger with every order of fish, whether it is fried or grilled. The owner of the shop asked the man to wait a bit. My friend knew the significance of the request. The fishmonger wanted to prepare for the man a legitimate lunch, at the expense of his shop. The story is both sad and joyful, at the same time. What is sad is that people in my country are so distressed that they are begging for bread that has taken its taste from the smell of what others are eating. As for what is joyful, it is that there are still people in Lebanon who consider the hunger of others to be their own. Without the loving people, no world is fit for life.