My Photo

When I was 5 or so, standing outside No. 6 school in West New York, NJ, a short old man wearing dingy clothes came by. He was leading a donkey. He was taking photographs of the children atop the donkey

I wanted a photo with the donkey.

"Does it cost anhything?" I asked.

No, the short old man said.

Some days later, just as I feared, the old man came to our house and demanded money. $1. My mother was mad at me.

***

Today I treasure that photograph of the sweet little boy looking so pleased atop a donkey.