Where are the Samaritans?

Here’s a true modern-day parable.

And at the time of day being 7:30 in the morning when I usually retrieve the newspaper that covers the Island like the dew — better known as The Guardian — at the end of my mother-in-law’s driveway on the other side of the highway on which vehicles of all shapes and sizes think it’s the Ebenezer speedway, I walked carefully — something I’ve done for 20 years — to pick up the paper and this particular morning the myriad of flyers. I must be cognizant of those driving to Charlottetown, so I walk about 30 paces on the shoulder facing traffic. About 10 or 15 vehicles passed me. I wave to those who wave to me.

It was a cool Thursday morning, so I wore a bright red jacket given to me for volunteering at the 2009 Canada Games. You couldn’t miss me.

With paper and flyers in my hand I crossed the highway and headed back home walking on the shoulder on the opposite side of the highway now facing drivers heading west.

When in front of my house, I fell hard hitting my right shoulder on the gravel and scrapping my left leg and hand. I lay there, a few inches from the pavement, for a couple of minutes. Four cars passed without stopping. I was left to my own resources to recover and limped back to the house.

I don’t know what caused my fall. Was it nausea from my new medication or did I trip? My right side is very sore but that is all I can complain about, but where were the Samaritans? Do they drive so fast and are always in a hurry that whoever is lying on the side of the road is of no concern?

I asked my friend that question and his reply was “they no longer exist.” But I replied, I live on Prince Edward Island.