Saw
The front of our apartment complex is shielded from the main road by thick shrubbery and trees. The trees arch out over the sidewalk providing shade to pedestrians. The trees and underbrush used to be so thick that you couldn’t see into it. When we went for walks I could always hear things scurrying in the bushes. That made me feel quite nervous. I don’t like scurrying.
Recently the trees have been thinning out. I’ve noticed this more this month than others. Yesterday on my walk, I noticed that the apartments were clearly visible through the trees now. In some places you could easily walk through the trees. The branches of the trees have been sawn off in many places. I wonder if this is the work of our apartment’s ground keeping service or if it’s been done by someone else.
About a year ago I noticed an old bald man on the side walk with a hand saw, cutting the branches from the trees. After that, I realised he’s out there every evening, sawing away like a man on a mission.
One evening we went on our walk late and walked by him. He didn’t have his saw this time. Instead he had a large stick and he was beating the thin branches of the trees wildly until they broke.
What could he be doing? I’ve run through all kinds of scenarios in my head. Maybe he has a fireplace. Maybe he’s building something–a giant bird’s nest or something. Maybe he really doesn’t like trees. I don’t know. I want to ask, but I’m afraid. Somehow I don’t think talking to a crazed man with a saw is a good idea.
