Zadak

Many months ago, as I was walking along the main road to the supermarket, a thin man ran across to greet me. As often happens, a person attempts to befriend you with an inquiring interest of you until then the begging begins. He stayed with me awhile then away he went. Every time since he would do the same, talking about news, the world and life.

I began spotting him during the early morning hours pushing a cart throughout the village where I live collecting plastic bottles and whatever he could scavenge along the roadsides. We greet one another and share pleasantries. He is always positive, happy and has not asked for a thing. He often gives thanks to God for all he has been given.

Every day of the week he spends hours in the village, then proceeds his way up the main road to a deserted spot where he parks his cart to sort out all his daily treasures to sell. He has fixed a small shelter there located along the outside a cement security wall. He settled on this spot due to the light that projects down from the security tower located on the other side of the wall. This is his daily life of existence and sustenance.

One morning he shared with me that he was in the process of making a guitar, and was saving to purchase strings for it. He proudly showed me a notebook filled with music that he had been writing. He believes it is time for him to find a new way to sustain himself, he had now reached 39 years age and still collecting bottles to sell for 1 shilling (1 cent) each. We continued our walking talks along the main road and never again did he mention the strings. So, one day I carried money to give him so he could acquire the guitar strings. A few weeks later he pulled from his pocket the packaged strings along with a receipt, he wanted me to be assured that he was being honest, then said that one day he would pick his guitar for me.

Occasionally Abdalla would walk along the main road with me. We walked over to his spot along the wall so that I could introduce the two. As Abdalla and I continued our walk, Abdalla exclaimed, wow that was nice, he has many good things to say. A few weeks later, Abdalla journeyed to the supermarket to purchase some things me. Upon his return he placed the receipt and change on my table. I questioned him as to why there was there two loaves of white bread purchased, I was happy as he replied “for Zadak”.

Today on the return walk from the supermarket, I stopped with which has now become the routine two loaves of bread and he excitedly said to me, “you are in luck, I have my guitar”! He proudly sang and picked his guitar.

Look at this guitar, it was hand made from removing or cutting from the things he found along the road. Look at Zadak, skin and bones, tattered clothes, dirty body and yellow teeth, but is strong as an ox, clean and pure in heart and caring with a welcoming smile.
 
Zadak is one of those rare men who has been able to find joy with what has been given to him. It is the true secret to life and he is living on well!