Every time I pass by, I see this old man. He was like a statue, sitting quietly in front of the house, looking into the distance; his ghostly gaze seemed to be searching for traces of the past years. What was on his mind?

Surrounded by a coconut grove, the light in the morning was wonderful. Together with the old man’s old house, this is definitely a good subject.

I would have photographed him every time I passed by, but I had no time to stop.

Finally, one day, I came to him. I explained my intention. I thought he would refuse, but he gladly agreed. The old man told me that many passers-by often stopped to photograph him, and he graciously agreed.

While photographing, I chatted with him. It turned out that the old man had several children, all of whom were successful, and he said, with a proud look on his face.

“Didn’t they come back to see you?” I asked offhandedly.

The old man suddenly quieted down, and slowly turned his head to look at me, and said, “They are all very busy and come back to see me less often, the last time was two years ago.” He said as if nothing had happened, but his tone could not conceal his sadness.

I was saddened and couldn’t continue shooting anymore. After comforting him for a while, I bid farewell to him and promised to come back to see him.

He smiled and said yes. The passerby’s visit also seemed to be an opportunity for the old man to pass the time.

I turned around, feeling rather sad.

Soon after, when I passed by again, I found that the house and coconut grove had been razed to the ground; so it seemed that the old man had moved. I hope that the old man was brought to his children and they would take good care of him.

Have you ever encountered elder like such?