Boys, Ball, and a Bike

Walking home one afternoon, I watch as some young boys around 5 or 6 years old kick around a ball in their front area.  One kicks the ball a with a little too much force and it rolls out into the street.  They all stand there in a line, staring as if there is a force field between their area and the street. 

I consider walking down the stairs from the waterfront to retrieve their ball, but just as I'm about to start walking down the stairs, a man on a bike approaches.  "Muchachoooo!!!!" One of the tiny boys calls out.  "Puede recojer la bola?" 

The man on the bike patiently stops and with "mucho gusto" (much pleasure) parks his bike and walks over to the ditch to get the ball. 

I stood there the whole time in awe.  I would have expected a person walking to stop, but a person on a bike to just keep going - stopping and getting off the bike would be too much work.  That's where I was wrong. 

Helping in this culture really is done with much pleasure.  It is not a chore, it is a privilege to be of service.  Whether it's helping someone carry a heavy load or waiting in line for them at the hospital so they don't have to stand...  people look out for each other and kindness is highly valued.