The Misanthrope

High up in the rain over Edinburgh, a Crow waves her wings in the air like she just doesn't care.

One of the things about running is that if it is quiet, it is easy to switch off and let my mind wander. This morning my mind wondered about bad weather and how in a way, I actually quite like it as it keeps most other people indoors. One of the things I hate about nice weather is that the outdoors immediately fills up with the kind of people who only go outdoors when it is sunny and then are unable to comprehend that everyone else has gone and done the same thing!

Then I wandered on to a short story that I like, the author of which I sadly cannot remember *(and it turns out The Misanthrope" is a very popular name for books and plays). The man in the title lives on his own on an island in rather mysterious circumstances. The narrator becomes curious and rows out to the island to talk to the man. The misanthrope confesses that he has something wrong with his eyesight, it is a very strange thing but when he turns to look at someone over his shoulder, he sees them for what they really are. All their faults and all their worst character traits are visible in their facial features. He of course tried to avoid looking over his shoulder at anyone but the final straw came when he fell in love and the girl became convinced that his affliction was actually some sort of enchantment and that if he looked over his shoulder at the right person (her) the enchantment would be broken. Of course when he did this he saw a beastly soppy creature with a weak chin and watery eyes. He had had enough and went off to where he didn't have to look at anyone as it was too easy to look accidentally. Of course, when the narrator goes to leave he begins to wonder if perhaps HE is the one who can break the enchantment! He call to the misanthrope as he walks away, the man looks over his shoulder and....such an expression of disgust comes across his face! The narrator learns his lesson and is left forever wondering what the misanthrope saw in him that was so awful.

The story has always made me think that perhaps it is a good thing that you can't see really see peoples faults just by looking at them and perhaps most importantly, they can't see yours!

I wonder what the misanthrope would have seen in me? Nah, I definately don't want to know!

* Many thanks to Marchmont who identified the author as J.D. Beresford and provided a handy link to the story.