It happened in Japan, at one of Tokyo’s train stations. My friend and I were waiting for the train to Kyoto. A woman’s voice announced arrivals and departures, but I understood nothing in Japanese. I noticed my friend kept glancing at his watch. I asked:
“Is something wrong?”
“No.”
But it seemed to me he was hiding something.
“Is the train late?” I continued asking.
“Oh, if only!” he answered, looking at his watch again.
“What do you mean?” I was surprised. “You don’t want it to be late, do you?”
“No, quite the opposite.”
I didn’t understand anything.
“You see, if the train is late, the company has to pay us compensation. It would be nice to earn a little extra.”
“And that’s why you keep looking at your watch?”
“Yes, judging by the announcement, there’s a chance the train might be delayed. So I got my hopes up a little… But to tell the truth, I’ve never had a case in my life where a train was late.”
“Let me also pray mentally for it to be late,” I said and closed my eyes.
While we stood on the platform praying, the train safely (and, to our regret, on time) arrived. My friend looked at me guiltily and shrugged. With a deep sigh, we boarded the train and departed for Kyoto. But then a secret hope arose in me.
Maybe we’d be delayed en route and arrive late to the ancient capital of Japan? Alas, this hope didn’t come true either. Moreover, our return train also arrived in Tokyo on schedule.
Well, what can you do? There are times when even prayers don’t help.
First published on my Substack: https://alisherfaizullaev.substack.com/p/the-train-to-kyoto
#Train #Japan #Delay #Pray
Alisher Faizullaev 