CarrollBlog

Two street musicians-- a guitarist and a violinist-- are playing on the busy shopping street. Both men are on the far side of middle age and bedraggled. Unshaven, threadbare clothes, hats too small for their heads, even their instruments are tired looking. That said, they're also pretty good musicians. But not a soul is stopping to listen or give them money. Nearby, four young mothers are chatting and smoking. Their very small children, half the distance between the moms and these men, are dancing to the music. Whirling, spinning as only a three year old uninhibited child can spin, hopping on one foot and then the other, none of them ever stop. They're having an absolute ball and it's all because of the music. You know that if it weren't there they'd be fidgeting and fussing and whining to leave. They are the most appreciative audience in the world for the musicians. But the two guys ignore them and looking glum, play on.