#75 - Swiss Fellow with Accordion

​Sweet Fellow

I met this dear man when wandering the historic old town section of Zurich.

He showed me the accordion his father once gave to him. He played a little tune.

Tiny Accordion

Before I met the shopkeeper, I had been studying his window display.

I love small things and I was drawn to the miniature accordion, sitting near the Frog King.

​I spotted the man through the window. 

I had no idea what kind of shop this was, but I headed in, to inquire about the miniature instrument.

The man reminded me of Gepetto. I half expected to find wooden puppets in his shop. He spoke no English, so we communicated with gestures and facial expression. Lots of laughing ones. I wish I had captured an image of his laughing face.

I wanted to know if the little instrument was for sale. I'm not sure he understood, but he shook his head no. But then he smiled and reached for this beautiful accordion. I thought he would try to sell it for me. But he smiled and began to play. I applauded when he finished and he tried to tell me something about his accordion. The only bit that seemed clear was that his Papa had given him the instrument. 

It was a short encounter on a chilly afternoon last November. There's not much of a story to tell, but this sweet musical man delighted me. I still am not sure what his shop was about. I study the picture and find little treasure here and there. 

Thanks for this little memory, my Swiss Musical Friend. I have a feeling we could have had a fun conversation if we'd spoken the same language. But actually, I think I prefer the encounter just as it was. 
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