If you missed Part 1 yesterday, here is a link. The Bridge of Questions
Thanks to those of you who helped contribute some questions, to help Sabrina get across the bridge. Some of the questions were tricky for sure! But I have come to expect that from certain “followers” . Hope you enjoy the story!
Sabrina was almost at the bridge. She felt full of confidence and was anticipating meeting the old man again. It wasn’t that she was so eager to cross the bridge but the old man had stirred up her curiosity now about what questions he could possibly have.
She saw him from the distance, as she was approaching the bridge. He turned and saw her, and this time he didn’t just stare at her, but he smiled. When she got closer to him he called out. “Hi there missy! I see you didn’t chicken out.”
Sabrina smiled as she shook her head. “Nope, not a chance! So what’s your first question?”
The old man stood there quietly, looking at her for a moment, and then he spoke. “Before we start, I am curious, why do you think I should be able to make you answer my questions, do you think I could really stop you from crossing this bridge? ”
Sabrina wasn’t quite sure what to say, she wasn’t expecting him to say that. He was standing right in front of her just giving her a piercing gaze, making her feel a little intimidated. He was an old man though, so she probably could just push him aside and walk on across the bridge. He really wouldn’t grab her, would he?
It was like he was reading her thoughts, for he said, “I am just a weak old man, you could push me off the bridge if you wanted to.”
Sabrina shook her head. “Well yeah I could, but I am too sweet and nice to do that! Besides, you have me curious now. You were all bold yesterday about these questions that you had, so I want to hear them. Why don’t we take a seat on the bridge while you ask me them.”
They sat down and let their feet dangle out over the rippling water in the stream.”Okay, here is your first question. What kind deed did you do for someone before you left the house today?”
Again she was shocked by the question. “Why should it matter what kind deed I did today?” she asked him.
“Well you just got done saying that you were sweet and nice, so what did you do today to prove that.”
Sabrina looked down at her feet as she thought of the way she talked to the delivery guy that had come to her house this morning. He was just doing his job, but she had been in a hurry and was rather short with him. And then there was the person who called on the phone.
“Can we just go to the next question please?”
“Well, we can, but I hope you won’t let the day go by without doing something that is kind. Doesn’t have to be anything big.”
Sabrina nodded her head and agreed that she would make sure to try.
“What is the purpose of life? ”
Sabrina put her head in her hands, she didn’t think the questions would be this difficult!
“That would take way too long to answer right now. I will come back later with the answer, okay?”
The old man smiled. “Make sure you do, I will be waiting.”
They sat there in silence again watching the water flow.
Just as Sabrina thought that perhaps he didn’t have any other questions, he spoke up.
“Don’t you recognize me?”
Sabrina’s heart jumped. Was this someone she knew? She scrutinized him carefully, but no, he didn’t seem familiar at all.
“No, I don’t, should I?”
“Nope, just wondered what you would say!” and the old man laughed.
Sabrina shook her head, this guy was crazy.
“Here is an easy one for you. Do you know who won the International Polo Cup back in 1876?”
Sabrina almost lost her balance as she turned to look at him. “You are crazy, aren’t you! How could I possibly know that!” Her hands went up in the air as she shook her head.
“Its not really looking like you will get across the bridge today, missy, is it?”
Sabrina wasn’t quite sure what to say and she watched him take some rocks and throw them as they skipped across the water. They chatted about other things for a little. How he enjoyed the woods and how she liked the beach. He talked about how life was so different way back when he was a child and she found it interesting to hear his tales. She actually forgot that she was trying to get across the bridge, as they kept chatting.
As they skipped some more rocks, she happened to glance at her watch.
“Oh My, I didn’t realize the time. I gotta go, or I will be late for work this evening.”
“Do you want to take a short cut back home?” the old man asked.
“A shortcut?” she looked at him quizzically.
“Yes, there is a hidden tunnel I could show you.”
“Really??”
The man slapped his knee with his hand and started laughing.
“No, there isn’t a tunnel that I know of, but your eyes sure did get big!”
Sabrina made a face at him but couldn’t help to let out a laugh. “You are one interesting character, old man! i gotta go, but perhaps I will be back again. I don’t need to cross the bridge, maybe we can just chat again and skip some rocks, if that’s okay with you.”
“I am often here at this time of day, so come by whenever you want. I do have one more question for you.”
Sabrina raised her eyebrows, “Really, one that I can actually answer?”
“Perhaps.” and his eyes crinkled.
Sabrina laughed. “I will see you later, take care, old man.”
“You too, missy”, he said, with a wink and a smile.
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