There is an old story about an elderly gentleman who leaves his house every day at 3.30 and walks to the train station. He waits for the 4.30 train. When the train comes in he does not ascend the train but watches everyone else boarding and then listens to all the doors slamming. He waits for the train to leave the station and watches the tail lights as they disappear around the distant bend in the track.
He then goes home and continues his life, which is satisfactory but not very interesting. His home is neat and tidy and he lives in an orderly way. He has a pension which is enough for him to live on. He never leaves the town he lives in and has lived in since he was born.
Although he is content with things as they are, he sometimes has a feeling that he is missing something. He cannot quite work out what it is as he has everything he wants. He has a kind and loving wife and their children and grandchildren visit often. Nevertheless, he has a niggle at times that he could have done a little more with his life. But he rationalises that thought with another thought, although he has always played it safe, he is now in a position of security and comfort.
He had been teacher. He had taught geography and he had taken much pleasure in teaching his pupils about different countries and cultures that although he had no personal experience of these places, he had read and researched much about his subject and as he had a strong imagination was able to describe and teach as if he had visited the foreign countries he taught about.
What the elderly gentleman does not know is that when he was born, he was intended to be a great traveller and explorer. The angels had got together and designed a life of adventure for him. He was to visit many places, learn about other cultures and be able to teach others about his experiences.
Sadly, when he had been given the opportunity years ago to join a travel company he had declined as his parents had advised him that teaching was a good and honourable profession and why would he turn his back on a worthwhile career to go off around the world. He understood their point of view and followed their advice.
And now he could not avoid the nagging feeling that he had missed a great opportunity.
It was too late. Or was it?
He packed his bag late one night, whilst his wife was sleeping. He hid it under his bed. The next day at 3.30 he left the house with his bag. His heart was racing but no one noticed him leave.
The train arrived in the station promptly on time at 4.30 and this time, he boarded along with all the other travellers. He sat in a seat in the middle carriage beside the window, and watched the station disappear out of sight as the train rounded the bend.
By Cressida Landless
Notes of Happiness
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