Give a Clinking Alluminum Can Hand

With the sun still on the eastern horizon, the slight clinking of aluminum cans could be heard in the neighborhood of the trash.  It was noted because the clinking was not loud, as is so often the case with many who earn their living in this manner. 

15 or so minutes passed and the slight clinking continued to be barely audible.  Curiosity roused me to my feet to take a look, off my balacony, at the considerate can collecting individual.

Inside the dumpster was a muscularly thin woman meticulously searching through an over half full metal box. I watched for a spell.  Then went inside to scoop up the only aluminum can in my place.

Back out on the balcony, can in hand, I continued to watch this can collecting person take her job extremely seriously.  She was in her task whole heartedly.  No can would go un-collected. 

To her delight, she found a huge orange.  Her body language said it all.  It was obviously a perfectly good piece of fruit, another had flung into the trash without a thought.

When she finally emerged from the large bucket of trash, I beckoned her over to catch a can.  She was grateful. I wished her a great day, and she threw back “you too” in response. Gathering up her treasures from her early morning scouting, she went on.  

Giving a clinking alluminum can hand allows for a simple pleasure.  For I’ve given this way many times, and prefer it to a cash hand out.

May 30, 2009  

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