The Sweeper
On the street where I live, the streets are always clean. Every morning an old man, who lives in a little unimposing house in a corner, gets up and sweeps the streets. I call him "The Sweeper." He's not paid to sweep the streets. He is an inhabitant of the street, yet every morning he sweeps the street for everyone. He gently moves down rows and rows of houses with broom in hand sweeping away trash, leaves and whatever else is left on the street. He asks not for recognition, he asks not for notice, he asks not for money. He sweeps the streets because he wants to. He sweeps the streets because he has a good heart. It's not easy to find a man like him in this modern day where no one wants to do anything for free. Everything now must be bought, be exchanged, be in response to another good action. It reminds me of what Thomas Hobbes wrote in the Leviathan about man being innately selfish. ...