The Corral, Volume 9, Number 1, Spring, 1960 Page: 11
35 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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The Hearing Aid
NORMAN SHARPThe sun rose and the town awoke
with the new day. Rays of light began
to creep slowly across the room and
move up and across the bed to awaken
the old man. John Cleary opened his
eyes and lay there awhile, gazing at
the plastered ceiling.
He left his bed and put on his clothes.
He washed his face and combed his
whiskers. John Cleary didn't shave
anymore. Razor blades were expensive,
and he needed his money-what little
he had from his pension-to buy
necessities. He walked to the window
and looked down into the street. Cars
were going back and forth and people
were scurrying to and fro. The old
man could see them plainly, but the
noise from the street was only faintly
audible.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Cleary, but I'm
afraid you are losing your hearing. A
hearing aid would be of great help."
This is what the doctor had told him
two years ago. Hearing aids are ex-
pensive, though. He knew at the time
it would be difficult to obtain one on
his pittance, but he determined to get
one.
So now the old man bought only
necessities. He ate only one meal a
day. He quit smoking and never went
anywhere, except to the park. The
park was a wonderful place to go. He
could sit and watch people. They would
always say something to him and then
walk on down the street talking to
themselves. He wondered what they
were saying. He knew they were
friendly because they always laughed
and were happy when they left him.
John Cleary was a happy man. This
was the final day. He would walk
down today and buy his hearing aid.The pension check he would receive
would give him just enough to pur-
chase his dream. Everyone seemed
happy today. A group of children ran
past and shouted something. The old
man grinned and waved. Everyone
was friendly.
The little receptionist said, "Goodby,
Mr. Cleary." What wonderful words!
The old man stood on the corner
listening. Yes, listening to the roar of
of the automobiles as they passed by.
It was wonderful to be able to hear
again.
Then it happened. "Hey, Santa
Claus, where's your reindeer?" The
children laughed as they ran on down
the street.
"Watch where you're going, old
man." A teen-age boy and his girl
friend walked past. "They shouldn't
let people like him loose on the streets
alone," said the girl.
Two business men walked past. "You
know, J. B., these old people sure are a
problem. The government has to sup-
port them, and they don't do a bit of
good whatsoever."
Mr. Cleary went to the park. The
people were friendly here.
"There's that crazy old man again.
All he does is sit here and stare at
people. Maybe he'll die and be out of
his misery soon."
John Cleary sat and thought awhile.
Then he walked to the duck pond and
watched as the shiny new hearing aid
broke the still surface of the water.
Some people walked by. Mr. Cleary
watched them as they laughed and
waved. "What nice people they are,"
he thought. "Everyone is so friendly
...... now."11-THE CORRAL
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Hardin-Simmons University. The Corral, Volume 9, Number 1, Spring, 1960, periodical, 1960; Abilene, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth109449/m1/13/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Hardin-Simmons University Library.