Ray Zhang
Why did this old man come here every day?
The boy kicked the empty can of energy drink away from him as he cracked open another one. Leaning against the alley wall he continued to watch. This person would just come to this area and wander around picking up rubbish. He didn’t look homeless. The clothes he wore were clean and his hair and beard were well maintained.
This was one of the quieter areas in the city of Brisbane, dominated by the incredible amount of laneway shops and street art. Sitting down on the doorstep, he continued to observe the old man.
At first, he had suspected that it was because someone had paid him to clean up the streets but it was well known as this point that the Council had already given up on keeping the streets clean. And if not for money he could not fathom why there was any reason to do it. The boy came here often to graffiti, hang out with mates and smoke cigarettes. For the past year, he had seen this old man on a near daily basis.
Even as he watched the old man drew closer. Stopping at a recycling bin he dumped an assortment of paper cups, plastic bottles and cardboard boxes into it before resuming his work. Eventually he entered the alleyway where the boy was. Like a well-trained robot, he combed the nooks and crannies of the space for trash.
The youth checked his phone, wondering where his friends were. They were late as usual. Hearing footsteps near him he noticed the old man was picking up rubbish on the other side of the alleyway. Unable to contain his curiosity and wanting to ease his boredom he called out to him.
“Hey, old man!”
The rubbish collector continued with his work as if he hadn’t heard him. Clicking his tongue in annoyance the youth sprang from his seat and walked over to the old man.
“Excuse me.”
The old man turned around.
“What’s up, sonny?”
“I see you doing this every day and I just want to ask why waste your time?”
“Who said it was a waste of time?” The old man smiled.
“I did,” replied the youth. “I mean you’re picking up trash, dude.”
“Would you not consider it rude if I said that you painting walls was a waste of time?” asked the old man. “I’ve also often seen you around this area with your friends.”
“Yeah well it’s fun,” replied the youth. “You can’t seriously tell me what you’re doing here is enjoyable at all.”
The old man smiled before setting down the bag of rubbish on the ground. He strode over to the steps where the youth had been sitting before and took a seat.
“Why don’t you take a seat?”
“I’m alright, thanks.”
“Suit yourself,” The old man cracked his shoulder before speaking. “I didn’t catch your name, young man.”
“Albert.”
“I see, well young Albert have you ever seen the Great Barrier Reef?”
“Yeah, a while ago. It’s pretty cool, I guess.”
“And did you know with all the plastic pollution that’s happening nowadays that by 2050 it could be all gone?”
“So that’s why you walk around picking up rubbish?” scoffed Albert. “Like that’s going to change anything.”
“I agree that by myself it won’t make a difference. But you know Albert, if me doing this inspires a couple others to at least throw their rubbish where it belongs then that makes all the different. If everyone in this city picked up a single piece of rubbish that they saw, we’d have millions less pieces of rubbish going into the ocean every day.”
“You must really care about a stupid reef.”
The old man chuckled.
“My grandchildren were born just two months ago, Albert,” he said. “When they eventually grow up, I want them to be able to see the Great Barrier Reef our nation is so proud of. I want them to see the beautiful oceans of Queensland free of pollution. But most of all I want them to see what kind of beautiful world they were born into.”
As he listened, Albert couldn’t help but feel a bit of the old man’s words resonate with him. It was sickeningly idealistic but maybe there was some merit to it.
“And the same goes for you, Albert.”
“Huh?”
“What do you seek by coming here every day? Smoking cigarettes, vandalizing people’s properties and causing trouble for people? Why not dream a little bigger?”
“Dream of what?”
“I wouldn’t presume to tell you what to aim for. But you’re still young and there’s so much out there to do. Maybe help the environment or go help others perhaps. Set personal goals. What’s most important is to do something that you want to do. That’s what I’m trying to do now. When I was younger, I loitered around doing nothing too.”
“Well, sounds like you’re just a hypocrite then.”
“Perhaps, but if being a hypocrite is what it takes to make youngsters like you make the most of their talents then I’m happy to play the role.”
He smiled before standing up and resting his hand on Albert’s shoulder.
“Look son, if this is what you want to do then go for it. I’m not trying to force my opinion on anyone. But do this old fart a favour and think it over.”
Picking up his bag of rubbish he raised a hand in farewell and departed the alleyway.
Watching him go, Albert checked his phone again. His friends were still late. He drained the last of his energy drink and made the move to throw it onto the other side of the alleyway. But one glance at the now clean area and the old’s man words made him hesitate.
“Whatever.”
Albert took the can and strode over to the bin outside the alleyway. With a casual toss he threw it inside.
