In Methuselah's Shoes
"Mr. Klinefeldt, to what do you attribute your amazing longevity?"
"I don't know-nothing in particular. My father and mother didn't live past eighty and my sisters and brothers also died in their seventies. I didn't eat anything special; I didn't exercise any more than average; I didn't smoke, but I did have an occasional beer."
"Do you think the air and water here at Switzer Falls had something to do with it?"
"No, not really." I've only lived here for 15 years, and before that I lived in a mining town that always smelled of coal smoke. When I was a kid, we lived in a tenement, and the air and water there weren't very good."
"Well, whatever has enabled you to live this long, you're certainly very fortunate. Many people don't make it past 50, and you've lived more than twice that long. Doesn't it make you feel proud to have lived this long?"
"No. Why should I be proud? I don't care to comment further on that question."
"I hope I didn't say something to upset you, Mr. Klinefeldt?"
"No, you didn't... oh, at 108, I should tell you the truth... You didn't mean to, but you did say something that upset me."
"I'm sorry."
"Oh, it's not your fault; It's just that all my family-all my friends-they've all died. All the old actors on television, all my former schoolmates, all my teachers-they're all dead. I'm in a world I don't know; everything all around me has changed. If I talk about the old days, most people don't know what or whom I'm talking about."
---
"Joe, the interview with that old reprobate-be sure to stop it before the part where the old man gets to complaining, would you?
"Ok, Mr. Smiley."
"Thanks Joe. Old people are so grumpy-how can they expect me to get a successful interview with an old guy like that? Concentrate on the story about the school bomb-threat, Joe-and-and that piece about the town meeting. Old Mr. Methuselah has a roof over his head and three squares a day, and he has pretty good health. What's he got to complain about, anyway? If I lived that long, I'd be a whole lot more pleasant."
"Yes, Mr. Smiley."
Published by Vincent Summers
My secular expertise includes 23 years of experience at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, with a share in NASA's extended Voyager 2 effort. I formerly wrote for Demand Studios, Bukisa, Suite 101, Exa... View profile
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22 Comments
Post a CommentMy Great-Aunt Mabel was full of life - she thrilled to each new invention or upgrade. Even though she could no longer walk to the corner, she was delighted when the city finally brought the bus out to the area, for those who were going to be able to use it. An intense Perry Mason fan, her daytime tv time was extended when the classic channel decided to show 2 episodes back to back. Many people fail to appreciate what those older have to offer. Excellent story, and incredibly accurate response for Mr. Smiley.
loved this one....it'd be nice to live even to 101, but since I'm a bug, I think I'll just drink that mug or jug and dance a jig on the rug while playing DigDugg, but the other stuff I'd never heard of... :) well done, thanks for the commentszzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
@Jeanne -- God doesn't choose our date of death, Jeanne. Sadly, some churches teach that he does. The scriptures indicate otherwise.
Wonderfully written!! I don't want to live long just for the sake of being alive. People need a purpose for living! I want to be healthy enough to know what's going on around me and be able to participate, I don't want to be unable to function and connected to tubes in a sterile atmosphere, and there has to be some stimulus. Other than that, being alive is no longer being.
Wonderful expression of these thoughts! Ditto Jeanne.
The Bible promises extra years to those who honor their parents, so living longer is a good thing, but longer than when? God chooses our date of death. Until then we have His companionship. We have our books, our memories, food and drink for pleasure. A life can be good until the end. Attitude still reigns even when we are old.
A good look at a real issue.
It makes one stop to think. On one hand, It must feel so alone to have lived past everyone else whom one has known. On the other, I am surprised that glass half-empty attitude kept him alive so long. There must be something he lives for!
Sad to be left alone with a new world of wonder, but he will be with his loved ones some day!
Lot of insight packed into this...