When walking downtown recently, I saw a young boy playing the violin with his case open in front of him for donations. He could undoubtedly not pass an audition for the San Juan Symphony.

Instead of playing a wonderful classical violin concerto by Bach, Beethoven or Mozart, his music sounded like his own impromptu version of something he had perhaps just heard by the latest popular rock group.

But he was there in essence “working” for his lunch. So I detoured to cross the street and made a contribution, thanking him for sharing his talents and providing passer-bys with some entertainment – all the while thinking how much better this was than standing on a street corner with a cup and offering nothing in return.

Katherine A. Reynolds

Durango