Flat tyre brings out goodwill in strangers
Once upon a not-so-longago, four friends travelled a windy, dusty road one Sunday morning. They chatted as they drove in their little white car around the bays of the inlet, through the bush, across the causeways and over the big hill. Until, alas, with a swerve and sway they realised a back tyre was flat.
No problem, the friends thought, as the little white car was parked safely on the side of the road and they opened the boot. Out came the pies, pikelets and pineapple juice for shared lunch. Out came other stuff that lives in the back of cars. Out came the jack, wheel-brace and funny spacesaver spare tyre.
‘‘We know how to change tyres,’’ said the four friends, even though there was no bloke among them. They busied themselves setting the jack up and set to undo nuts. But, alas, the wheel brace was the wrong size for those pesky nuts. Not to be left feeling as flat as the tyre, the clever friends tried many innovative tricks to make that brace fit. The scarf jammed in was too slippery, the paper pieces were too rippery, and many other creative plans just didn’t work.
‘‘At least it’s not raining,’’ said Mary as she climbed on top of the little white car trying to get a bar of cell-phone coverage to call for assistance.
Soon along the windy road came a family in a ute but their wheel-brace was too big. Along came a couple in a car but their wheel-brace was missing.
Before long there were eight vehicles parked along the side of that dusty road. All the helpful people were working together to fix that flat tyre on the little white car. Various wheel-braces were tried but, just like the glass slipper, they didn’t fit. Until, at last, along
Various wheel-braces were tried but, just like the glass slipper, they didn’t fit.
came a nice couple on their way for a quiet Sunday kayak paddle.
Out of the boot of their ute John brought a lovely silver socket set, which was just right. Those pesky nuts were loosened, the little white car was jacked up, the tyre was changed, the pikelets were passed around and the four friends were able to go on their way.
This story ended even more happily ever after when one generous man took that flat tyre to the garage to be fixed. After three days he drove all the way out to the farm where the little white car lived and he delivered not only a good tyre but a flash new wheel brace as well. I amvery grateful for all the kindness.
The reason I tell this little tale of lovely people is that Christmas is coming. ‘Tis the season to be merry, eat berries, gift send, over spend, and hear carols singing of peace on earth and goodwill to mankind.
I know what a huge difference goodwill, care and generosity makes. Then I think of our country’s expanding urban/rural divide and the choices we each have. To ignore it by pretending it doesn’t exist, or increase it by uninformed criticism and insults. Or support each other on the road we travel together and move to understand, value, respect and appreciate each other creating a little country united, progressive and proud.
Hopefully that’s not a fairy tale. May this New Year bring genuine peace and growing goodwill in our families and communities, and between town and country. Christmas love and blessings to each of you wonderful readers.
Joyce Wyllie lives on a sheep and beef farm at Kaihoka on the west coast of Golden Bay.