#27 HUNGARY Green Velocity - Crash the Habit: Μικρές Ιστορίες
- EERcomt
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Παρακάτω παρατίθεται μία από τις 44 ιστοριούλες που απαρτίζουν τη συλλογή μαρτυριών από ατυχήματα σε στεριά, αέρα και θάλασσα 11 νεαρών ατόμων από διάφορα μέρη της Ευρώπης και του κόσμου.
ΙΣΤΟΡΙΑ #27
ΑΥΤΟΚΙΝΗΤΟΔΡΟΜΟΣ
by Ilana Lamas von Sohsten (Brasilian), European Solidarity Corps; ESAI EN ROI Volunteer
ESC volunteering in teams DHIAfest campaign diffusion International Campaign
Hungary|| Transportation Accident Stories
Supporting Organization: FEKETE-SEREG
The Car That Opened José’s Eyes
this story explores the illusion of wealth and the disconnect between appearances and reality. As José confronts speed, noise, and an unpaid job, the car becomes a symbol of misplaced priorities and hollow status.
It was six in the morning when José woke up to the sound of his phone ringing. He coughed to mask his tired voice and answered:
“Hello?”
“Good morning, Mr. José,” said an energetic voice on the other end of the line. “This is Bernardo. A friend of mine gave me your number—he said you fix showers better than anyone.”
José recognized the name almost instantly. In the small town where they lived, it was common for people to know each other. Bernardo was famous around town because of his car. That very car stopped in front of José’s house at 6:30 a.m. to pick him up and take him to its owner’s home, where a broken shower was waiting.
José took a look at the car—it was truly impressive.
“Hello, Mr. José! Hop in, make yourself comfortable.”
And so he did. He settled into the front seat, which was incredibly comfortable.
“Beautiful car!” said José—unaware that this was exactly what Bernardo needed to launch into a monologue about the vehicle.
“Isn’t it? And the engine is insane! V12 bi-turbo, can you believe it? It has sport suspension and an automatic transmission. It goes from 0 to 100 km/h in seconds—want to see?”
Before José could shout a firm “no,” Bernardo was already speeding down the narrow streets of that small town. José, who was used to the speed of his bicycle, felt his soul leave his body. He was certain he was going to die right there.
“See?” said Bernardo proudly, slowing down a bit. “It also has a four-exit exhaust!”
“Four-exit exhaust?” thought José. “I’d be happy with just one—to get out of here!”
The monologue went on for a few more minutes until they finally arrived at Bernardo’s house. José was surprised that he parked on the street.
“Aren’t you going to park in the garage?” he asked, curious.
“Nope, I don’t have a garage,” the man replied casually.
They walked a little until they reached a modest house—nothing that matched the luxurious car they had just gotten out of.
When José stepped inside, he was even more shocked. The house’s interior consisted of three elements: a worn-out couch, a table covered in papers, and a dusty counter.
José followed Bernardo down a narrow hallway that led to a bathroom. Bernardo showed him what was wrong with the shower, and José immediately got to work.
“Could you turn on the light? It’d be easier for me to see,” José asked after a while.
“Can’t—my electricity got cut off last month.”
José finished his work, relieved to finally be leaving the company of that man, who, during the repair, had gone on and on about how he was saving up to buy the latest edition of a cellphone José had never even heard of. From what he gathered, besides making calls, the phone also had something called a “social network.” He thought, “Well, a net would definitely be more useful than that lumpy couch.”
By late morning, when they got back to José’s house, he looked at Bernardo, expecting payment. Bernardo simply shook his hand and said:
“We’ll settle up next time, my friend. I really don’t have it today!”
José just smiled and stepped out of the car.
Once inside his home, he turned on the light—and saw, for the first time, his own wealth.
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