Warmth

= Warmth A man who retired from his company that day was eating a bowl of buckwheat noodle in a noodle shop near the station. It had a fried prawn on it, and cost only 500 yen. Though he had come there almost every day for thirty years, he had never talked with the owner. It was because he had no reason to talk to him, but that day, he did talk to the owner who looked as old as he. “ … To tell the truth, I retire today.” “Oh, really?” The conversation stopped. There was no other topic for their conversation. His retirement meant it was the last day that he had come to the noodle shop. Suddenly, the owner added one more fried prawn to the man’s bowl without saying anything. “Oh … can I eat it?” “Sure. Don’t hesitate.” “But … I didn’t order … but thank you.”  The shopowner didn’t reply. The man hesitated, but at last, he ate it. He finished a bowl of noodle entirely with tears in his eyes. Feeling the warmth of the man, he couldn’t help crying. He decided that he would come to this noodle shop even after he retired. After eating, he walked to the casher and took out a 500 yen coin. “May I have the bill?” “800 yen.” =