The Balloon Seller

He had brought these balloons to sell to children. If the morning cooperated, if the children were persistent enough with their parents, he might clear a few dollars before sundown. The arithmetic of his day was that simple, and that precarious. If he sells out by any chance, he had everything in that bag to produce more of his goods to sell.

A day's work measured in small coins, given for brief joy. The shutters were closed. The street was empty. And here was a man carrying the most colourful thing, walking barefoot toward people who might not need what he had.