~One of life’s little gems~

When I was 25, I spent three months in Tunisia (a small country on the north coast of Africa), working as a  volunteer instructor at a children’s education centre. Everyday I took the bus to the nearest stop and walked to work. On my way I would pass a snack kiosk, but not without stopping to buy a chocolate bar. I never spoke to the man at the counter…only a friendly smile and a shy “Bonjour” (locals speak Arabic and French). After two months of buying chocolate he gave me the following letter:

Dear Visitor,

I am very happy to write these few lines to you and to express my great happiness in having met you.

I wanted to tell you that I have a great appreciation for the Japanese and the Chinese and that I know a lot of traditions and customs that you practice.

My dream is to travel to Japan or to China and to live exactly like you.

I am very serious about the idea of marriage. But I am content in a simple friendship with you.

My problem is my inability to express myself in French. I understand French a little, but I cannot express myself well.

Thank you for reading my words.

Your Tunisian Friend.

 

I didn’t buy chocolate again.