{"id":209,"date":"2021-06-06T12:53:42","date_gmt":"2021-06-06T07:23:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thekingstales.com\/?p=209"},"modified":"2021-06-09T14:37:47","modified_gmt":"2021-06-09T09:07:47","slug":"the-old-man-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thekingstales.com\/index.php\/2021\/06\/06\/the-old-man-2\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2615 Cafe Delite | The Old Man | Part 2"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I am an artist, more like a designer in away.<\/p>He said <\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Read Part 1 – Click Here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A young couple walked in with a two-year-old. As soon as the child saw the old man, rushed to him and started playing with his beard. He swooped up the kid and placed him on his lap. The mother and father ran after him and stood in awe. \u201cOh, he recognised you,\u201d she said, and he smiled. The father thanked the old man, pulled the hesitant child into his arms; bowed to the old man and went to their table. \u201cFriends of yours?\u201d asked Mark. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am an artist, or rather a designer, in a way. They know me from my profession for I helped them in a project.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cStrange that I haven\u2019t seen you around. Small world we say, yet so distant,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, I keep a very low profile. So its fine,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By then the bread was ready to be served. Mark was a regular at the cafe and most of the regular customers knew him. David, who owned Cafe Delite, was in his late 70s. He rarely served, but that day was an exception. Mark introduced him to the old man.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDo you plan to stay in town for long?\u201d asked Mark<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, just for a day. Had an appointment for 2nd<\/sup> November. I plan to leave later tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou should come to town more often. Maybe I could help you out with some of my contacts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf I may? You are a regular here, but you joined me. Is there any reason?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLet me say it this way. Most of the people in this room are\u2026 How do I put it\u2026. Ordinary. But in you I see potential to become like me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOrdinary?\u201d asked the old man \u201cThat sounds rather vague. They all seem a cheerful bunch to me\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLife has a higher purpose. They don\u2019t get it. You seem wise, you know what I mean, right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cActually, I take each day as it comes. More focused on what I do. Of course, do the best for my clients and then let them be. As long as they are happy, I am fine. If I get a customer complaint about my work, find a solution for them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By now the rains had started. There was lightning and immediate thunder. David came to the old man and asked if he liked the bread that was served for supper. The old man held his hand and thanked him.\u201d Wish you could stay longer,\u201d David said. The old man smiled and David went back into the kitchen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNow, coming back to our discussion. I could improve your life. Maybe you could drop into my organisation some day,\u201d said Mark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat is it that you do?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI help make people’s life better,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u2026 but my life is going fine\u2026 I guess\u201d said the old man<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHmm, so you are like the others too\u2026 but don\u2019t despair, we have you covered. Join us for a day and experience our group. You will understand when I answer all your questions\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The old man just smiled. Broke a piece of bread and ate it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis bread is lovely\u201d He turned to David at the counter and said, \u201cDavid, you pleased me\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mark at this point was a little annoyed but held it back. He couldn\u2019t digest the fact that while he was talking about such a grave topic, the old man was focusing on the taste of his bread.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat do you think is the purpose of life?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt this age, be happy. In fact, I have always loved to be happy. More of a live and let live person,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t you at some point feel you want to show others the right way or something in those lines?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u2026 Yes I attend to my clients’ requests and serve them but as long as they are happy I don\u2019t get into their personal space.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHmm, Can I be frank with you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSure,\u201d said the old man. A young lad walked in. He came to the old man and whispered in his ear. The old man reached into his pocket and took out the watch to check. The lad left. \u201cSorry for that, he was just updating me about a client. What did you want to ask me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think a person like you should have done more for the world than wastes your time on materialistic things of pleasure like art. I am sure all your creations are not perfect. We are not to be perfect.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI love my creations but sometimes, like you said the creations\u2026\u201d the old man paused, interrupted by the couple who came to bid farewell. He smiled and reached into his bag, pulled out a small wooden horse, and gave it to the kid. They thanked him and quietly left. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI too will leave soon\u201d said Mark<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA few minutes more. What is it you want from me?\u201d asked the old man.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI want you to join us. Be a part of our organisation and help us help people like you,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat do I get?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou will learn the truth. Will get out of bondage. Free yourself from this materialistic life. Understand that I can make you a better person\u2026.I could go on and on,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat about family and friends?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey can also join us\u2026. but remember.. we are the only truth\u2026 so if they don\u2019t join us you will have to renounce them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCan I be open with you?\u201d asked the old man to which Mark said yes. The old man continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou are funny,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou find it funny?\u201d retorted Mark in a mildly raised voice. \u201cI am trying to save you from this mess you are in and you find it a joke?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo, not at all. Sorry if you misunderstood me. What I mean is I find your understanding of reality funny.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rain was very heavy now and in the street. People were finding it hard to keep to their umbrellas. In the thunder, the lights flickered a bit. This was rather unusual. David came back to the table and asked, \u201cIs it time?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Soon” said the old man.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTime for what?\u201d Asked Mark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI had booked an appointment and reserved this table. He was asking me about it,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh this damn rain, I wish it stopped\u201d Mark said<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOk” said the old man, and the rain stopped. As he spoke he reached out and touched Mark’s hand; an icy chill went up his spine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“David, it is time” called out the old man.\u00a0He then turned to Mark and said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Mark, your time has come” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There was a massive flash of lightning, as everyone looked outside the lights flickered once again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Is there any other way” Mark pleaded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I wish there was my child, but you got it all mixed up. Let’s go now”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mark smiled and wiped the tear off his face. Then with both his hands grabbed tight and said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Father, I am ready” The lights stopped flickering and David cleared the vacant table and smiled. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read the Epilogue in Part 3 – Click Here<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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