Laughter in Any Other Language Is Just Not Funny (standard:humor, 900 words)
Author: Godspenman	Added: Aug 26 2018	Views/Reads: 1545/1094	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
When I refuse to do something because of my pride, I discover that when I face up to my pride and not allow it to define me that I can discover joy.

When I was in high school, I played on the volleyball team. During one
practice session, I forgot to bring my sneakers. Not thinking much of 
it, I just played anyway. 

During the practice, I stepped forward to protect the player on the
front line and when he jumped, he came down on my right foot. The 
consequence was he smashed my big toe. 

That little incident put me out of the volleyball team for the rest of
the season. I had to go to the doctor and have him fix my toe. I had to 
go several times for him to fix it. Consequently, my toenail on my 
right foot grew in crooked. It has been a painful thing ever since. 

For years, I took care of it, but not too long ago I was doing more
damage than help and I did not know what to do about it. 

The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage suggested that I go have a
pedicure. 

Looking at her, I said rather sarcastically, “A pedicure is for girls.” 

“Well,” she said rather slowly, “if you go to the doctor it will be
about $300. A pedicure is around $25. Now,” she continued, “you do the 
math.” 

I must say it took me a long time to do the math on that one. I knew I
had to have some kind of professional help with that toe. I was doing 
so much damage that it hurt just to walk. And, I'm not old enough to 
hobble around. 

After a long evaluation I thought that I did not have anything to lose
except, $275. 

Not far from us was some kind of a Nail Salon. I went to it at least
five times before I finally went in. It was a very humiliating 
experience for me. After all, I'm not a “girl.” 

When I went in, finally, I noticed they were not speaking English. It
turned out to be some Vietnamese family running this nail salon. When I 
walked in nobody was smiling, but as soon as the door shut behind me, 
everybody looked at me and started smiling. What's that all about? 

Somebody started speaking in Vietnamese and then everybody looked at me
and started to laugh. I too laughed. 

I had a moment of hesitation and I was about to turn around and go
outside as fast as I could. It must have been the owner or manager of 
the nail salon who come up to me, greeted me very graciously and took 
me back to a chair where I was to have my pedicure. 

A very nice young lady came and said something to me that I could not
understand. Then she pointed to my shoes and said something else I 
could not understand. I believe she wanted me to take off my shoes and 
socks. 

I did so and while I was doing it, she got the hot water in the pan in
front of the chair I was to sit in. As soon as I took off my shoes and 
socks, she pointed to my feet and said something and everybody looked 
at me and started laughing. 

She said something in English that sounded like, “Too long.” Then
everybody in the salon began to chuckle. 

I honestly did not know what she meant. I did not know if my toenails
were too long or if I waited too long to come and get a pedicure. 

Then she started the process of a pedicure. I started feeling like a
“girl.” 

She was rather gracious, and knew exactly what she was doing and did a
wonderful job with the pedicure. She cut my toenails like they have 
never been cut before. And, there was no blood! 

I never had a pedicure before and really was not sure what to expect.
Not only did she cut my toenails, but also she massaged my foot and my 


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