After a long winter, the smell of earth and the promise of a new beginning was in the air again. I thought that soon it would be time to prepare the rainwater harvesting cistern. The water that collects from the roof in these big barrels comes in very handy every year for watering my garden. But this year I had a bit of a problem - the two cisterns were a bit too close to the path where my son usually drives his tractor to mow the lawn. It would be easiest to move them now, while they are still empty.
I thought of my neighbour, Franco Marguc. He is a reliable man, smiling and always ready to help. I called his wife, Marjana, and asked her if she would have time to move the tanks for me. A few hours later, Marjana herself called me back: 'Are you home? Franc is coming to see you." And indeed - before I had even put the phone down, they had arrived; Franz and their son Jan. The son had offered to come along when he came home from work. He and his father met in the courtyard. A young, handsome and well-mannered young man. He always said, "If you need anything, just call me!" They approached me with a smile on their faces, as if they were going to visit, not to work.
But they did not come empty-handed. Francis handed me the bag. In it were a fragrant homemade cake, a piece of sausage and some nice oranges. "I'm sending you this mine for a pen," said Franc with a smile. It touched me more than I would have thought. Such attentions are not a given. Sometimes they come just as much as help - or more.
Together, we set about moving the tanks. I was just directing them where to move it. The work flowed quickly, each of us adding our bit of effort, and yet it all seemed so simple and pleasant, as if it were a shared task between friends, not a favour. When the work was finished, I asked them how much I owed. They just waved their hands. "Nothing, nothing. Just come for coffee sometime," they said with a smile that did not allow for negotiation.
I stayed there with a gift in my hands and warmth in my heart. I wanted to invite them into the house to serve them something, but they were in a hurry. Jan had to rest and sleep because he had to go to work in the evening. They said they would come back next time. I watched behind them as they headed for home, happy and relaxed. And I thought - how nice it is to have good neighbours. Not because of what they give you, but because of the way they do it. Without expectations, with an open heart. Sometimes it only takes one tank moved, one cake baked, one coffee offered, to make us realise that we live in a community that still has a soul.
Sometimes you don't look far for happiness. Sometimes you find it just over the fence.
Justina Strašek, 30. 4. 2025
English (UK) 
Slovenščina 
Italiano 
Magyar