U is for USEFUL and that's what this man's craft is.You see him sharpening my little Fiskars scissors from Finland, the pair I've been using constantly for twenty years.
Every few years I walk to the back of Shuk Machane Yehuda market and am happy to find the man in his humble booth, still ready to work.
When at the end he lifted his nose from the grindstone, so to speak, his kind eyes had the hint of a smile.Then he resumed his reading of the Hebrew prayerbook, which I had interrupted.
We had exchanged a total of five words:
"Efshar?" meaning CAN YOU [sharpen this]?
"Mutar?" meaning MAY I? as I showed him my camera.
"Kama?" How much?
"Shmoneh" Eight [shekels]
"Toda!" Thank you!
Only these few words; but sometimes two people of few words, both utterly unassuming, can have the best communication between them.
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(This post joins the unending ABC Wednesday meme.)
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You are so good at Hebrew! It's such an interesting language! Yet so difficult!You created the atmosphere of Shuk Machane Yehuda market well.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week Dina!
About the urban legend I can say that I am not quite sure that I would be able to pronounce everything properly!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Useful and unassuming are great traits to have. Carver, ABC-Wed. Team
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful, sensitive and touching post. Just plain sweet!
ReplyDelete"Salt of the Earth."
ReplyDeleteGood to do something needed and do it well-
Such as this sweet satisfying post.
Aloha from Waikiki, Dina
Comfort Spiral
> < } } ( ° >
Life felt better after reading this. Thank you.
ReplyDeletePlease have a good Wednesday ahead.
He looks like everyone's beloved grandpa :)
ReplyDeletesuch skill
ReplyDeleteROG, ABC Wednesday team
Love the first shot of him concentrating, and all those old tools behind him.
ReplyDeleteI am happy to hear your Finnish scissors (I also have Fiskars scissors)get such a good treatment:)
ReplyDeleteOh I wish we still had people like these. I'd be very hard pressed to find someone to sharpen knives and scissors for me. And doing it with a hint of a smile!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely, gentle post Dina, thank you.
ReplyDeleteLiving in a whirlwind of chatter I appreciate taciturn people. I am quite happy that I was able to understand three out five word from your 'conversation'...
ReplyDeleteOur hurried culture has come to the point where we throw the scissors away when they become dull..
ReplyDeleteLovely and serene post.I'm enjoying participating as well.
Surely, sometimes few words are the best communication. Beautiful image and dialogue, Dina.
ReplyDeleteGood portraits of a craftsman at work! I wouldn't know where to find someone to sharpen my scissors for me...
ReplyDeleteA man of few words, going straight to the essential. I like him.
ReplyDeleteThis may be my favorite of your posts.
ReplyDeleteThis post made me smile.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post with a perfect title. I like his face and your description. And the dialogue! Thank you.
ReplyDeletetrès beau portrait
ReplyDeleteHe's got quite a selection of grinding stones there. I like his face.
ReplyDeleteI am with Cloudia. Salt of the earth.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could send you all my scissors. I have at least a drawer full that could use some sharpening. Beautiful photos, Dina.
ReplyDelete