GREEN doesn’t always mean GO

Last Thursday an unremarkable scene began at a busy pedestrian and traffic intersection in Mt Eden, Auckland. Everybody was minding their own business. Eyes watched the seconds counting down on the traffic light display panels. Boring. Time for a yawn. In a few seconds time it would be the pedestrians turn to flood the intersection with quick steps… 3, 2, 1, buzzer time. Cue the slightly comical green stylised ‘walker’ on the display panel. Pedestrians stepped confidently onto the road. In the next 15 seconds they had one purpose. 
Except one person. Same purpose, but not the same physical capabilities. He began his very slow walk to the safety of the other side. It must have felt a long way away and it was extra hard for him as he was struggling to carry his bags. Time waits for no one. People watched. Some must have felt a little anxious for him. 5, 4, 3, … alone.
Finally. Someone did something. A stranger joined him in the middle of the intersection. No man’s land. They slowly, very slowly continued walking together. The patient stranger helped carry his bags too. 
Green means go. No cars moved. Drivers waited and no one got annoyed. One little step to the safety of the footpath. Made it. Kindness won!



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