A paper bag of magic

Pink blossom swirled around me in the April wind as I waited for a bus in London.

I love taking the bus in London, especially when I don’t have anywhere in particular to go. I sit on the upstairs deck, and watch as the city rolls past the window.

The electric engine whirred and whined as we made our way through the grand streets of the West End. When we came to a stop at a red light just outside Trafalgar Square station, I noticed a homeless man by the entryway. He was sitting cross-legged on the cold, hard pavement, while his dog slept beside him on a folded up sleeping bag, its head nestled in his lap. The man was leaning over the dog, counting out his change on the ground in threadbare, fingerless gloves.

Just then, a young girl in a polka-dot dress blew past. She was walking briskly, but stopped briefly to hand the man a striped paper bag of sweets. When he looked up at her, his face was filled with such beautiful delight. I could easily see that he was saying, ‘Oh wow! Thank you so much!’ But the girl had already disappeared into the station. The man peered into his bag. I was expecting to see him reach inside for a treat, but the first thing he did was offer the bag up to two men who were distributing newspapers from a nearby trolley. I could see they were hesitant — nah mate, I think they’re yours? But the man was insistent. As the bus pulled away, all three of them were munching on sweets.

I’m not gonna lie. I had a tear in my eye.

And that’s what I love about cities…little magical stories, playing out all around you.

Would you like to have the original drawing above in your life?