Mango + Kindness

By Craig Lieckfelt & Jameria Blain

It’s fall and the leaves are gently falling from the trees.  The air and exhaust from the street are visible as it rises from the chimneys and its early morning light slowly works magic on the new day. A taxicab door opens, It’s Harlem, a city that has shaped David’s adult years. David loves this place more than any other place on earth. It breathed cultural life into his stagnant soul.

New York, to the human experience is like salt to food. It is a flavor all on its own and without out it, everything is just bland.  

The coffee and donut cart gives off an aroma that easily causes his mouth to water and his stomach to growl. David gravitates towards the cart and gazes at the tablet sized plancha, he also notes the chorizo and potatoes simmering in the oil, a working man’s confit, pitched at the perfect decibel of bubbling. 

She can see the spark in David’s eye, and she starts his breakfast sandwich. A distinct New York water roll, with a scrambled egg mix of chorizo, cheese and potato which is perfectly wrapped in paper and cut in half making but just to the edges and the paper hinges. David sits down on the steps of the stoop. It’s still early and he doesn’t want to wake Av’s family.  

So, he settles on the steps, pulling out his breakfast to enjoy. Each bite is a perfect balance of spicy chorizo, creamy potato and decadent eggs with the indistinguishable water roll soaking up all the flavors. After a good while of consuming the delectable goodness, David rings the buzzer, and he is welcomed in by Av and his family. 

Av and David have been friends for a while, and the type of kindness from Av's family is what gives David inspiration.  David appreciates the hospitality, and he couldn't be more thankful but there’s urgency to start the next chapter of his life.  Av, a true New Yorker, born and raised, had made it through 9/11, survived the crashes and collapse of the towers that took place from his school, a few blocks away.  

On their way out, they stop at the corner bodega to get a snack for Av's daughter's lunch, and exchange chit chat with the cashier. He’s known as Uncle David, amongst them, because in all respective parties, they’re like family with love surging amongst them.  

He takes a subway ride; that lifts his spirits because it was one of the few times, he could be surrounded by such a diverse mix of people living harmoniously. This ride which he took for years helped shaped his view on what life should look and be like. 

Because of Av’s kindness, for lending him a space to live as he applied for a new jobs, David recently landed a job in Tokyo.

When David lands in Tokyo, he immediately feels like he’s in an alternate universe. The lights are brighter, the screens are larger, and K-Pop videos are pounding through his eardrums and influencing his senses as he gets entertained by the people, happily dancing. 

He walks through the crowds, scanning through shop windows where he spots businessmen smoking cigarettes, drinking beers and eating copious amounts of food. There are the bells and clinging sounding off all around him from the pachinko machines.  

His senses are in overload, but luckily for him before he’s gets too lost in this magical, futuristic city he’s invited to a dinner. A welcoming celebration for making it to Tokyo. He is a foreigner and invited to a dinner party made David feel welcomed in such a distant land. At the dinner, he discovers the intricacies of Japanese culture, which most is derived from acts of kindness and thoughtfulness. He googles what to bring to dinner and sees an article mentioning he should bring fruit is a kind gesture. 

David ventures out to the food courts and soon finds a fruit stand. He makes his way to the covenant display and at first is in disbelief of what he’s looking at. He’s never seen fruit so beautiful in all his life. Each piece is perfectly shaped and in full bloom of its respective color.  They were all stunning and ornately wrapped and presented in the most ostentatious appearance.  

David, clearly new to the market is approached by two workers to get help with making his fruit selection.  

「こんにちは”  (meaning hello)  spills from the worker’s mouth as he starts speaking in Japanese says the worker. 

David fumbles his words and apologetically explains in English he doesn’t speak Japanese. The worker who is dressed in the most pristine uniform that David’s ever witnessed a grocery store clerk to wear, just smiles at him. A second worker approaches in anticipation, 

“I speak English and can translate.”  He happily informs David.

David is humbled at this point.  He explains he got invited to a party and would like to bring fruit and would like to know what fruit would make a better gift. A discussion takes place amongst the workers and David stands, relieved that his first day is going well. David just arrived but he likes this place. 

After a brief discussion with the workers, David purchases a Mango and bows to show his thanks. Excited about his journey to come.