I was riding my uni around in the parking lots and sidewalks of a shopping
center while my car was in the shop having new tires put on. As I rode slowly
and carefully past the door of a department store, a man came out with his son,
probably around 3 years old. Dad saw me, grabbed his son by the collar and
yanked him back, told him “Look out! He’ll run right over you!” (referring to
me). In indignant tones I retorted “I will NOT!” A big smile took the sting out
of these words and I waved to the tyke as I rode on.
Another parent, a mom this time, spread her arms and gathered her four
children under her wings exactly like a mother hen as they crossed the
driveway in front of me. I pulled back to an idle some 6 feet away, waiting
for them to cross but she stood rooted to the spot until I said "Go ahead!"
and smiled.
I want to tell people like that "Hey, I didn't come here today to maim and
murder your kids with a unicycle. Lighten up!"
Dennis Kathrens