The old lady in Copacabana

Paulo Coelho

She was standing on the sidewalk of Atlântica Avenue with a guitar and a hand-written sign that said: “Let’s sing together.”

She began to play alone. Then a drunk arrived, then another old lady and they began to sing along with her. In a short time a small crowd was singing together and another small crowd played the audience, clapping hands at the end of each number.

“Why do you do this?” I asked between songs.

“Not to be alone,” she said. “My life is very lonely, just like almost all old folk.”

I wish they all could solve their problems in this way.

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16 Responses to “The old lady in Copacabana”


  • Like in a musical…I never seen such.But I love songs and singing.While child,there were more houses.When was raining,nobody on the streets,and,ihf happened to be on road,I used to sing loud voice.he he Now I will feel so ashamed.But,on line I have a friend that ask me to sing him,any kind of songs,he says to break the ice,to be creative.Is funny.

  • Thank you, Paulo Coelho and thank you all.

    Music the universal language, the harmony, the expression of love, the music of the ..Spheres.

    Old age and old people: Once I remember my mother asking my father, when they were 55 and 65 years old: ‘What are we supposed to be considered? Middle-aged or what?? My father looked at her and told her scornfully: Don’t you read in the news-papers that they write: OLD man, 60 years old, was hidden by a car??
    Now I am at this “golden age” !! The ..reality of time. ;]
    LOVE,
    Thelma

  • So that post was about love… and music

    Song for the day

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwe_AkkZH4s

  • dear cdg
    good for u , and for all of us which choose this way,,,,,,
    have a nice weekend
    lots of love
    orly

  • Orly
    I am on my way

  • Ah. . .this is what Wabi Sabi is all about. . .so much of the other is tinsel beauty. . .this is real beauty!. . .I wish i was there to see and dance with everyone. . .

  • Irina Black,true thoughts.What about the missing link?

    They are not looking for diamonds but looking for crystal so that hidden corners can come into the light since they feel that some stuff need to be cleared.

    Magicians or whatever grant me that wish for my birthday please.

  • for some people its a strong reality,,, when they get old the children r too bussy to see them and visit them, friends r some time gone already,,, and yes
    i think we all have to think that one day when we grow up and come to the age= people call it old,,, we should find our self some passion, hobby, volunteer, group of others from the same age, belong to some church- or suynagogue etc,,, and find our way to be with others and not to be lonely and alone!!!!!! lets get ready…..

  • ..A missing link.Krippled people use substitutes:they drink decaffeinated coffee.They love those,who loves them back.They pick up a piece of glass,instead of looking for a diamond.They are frightened to look inside themselves,because..there is..

  • I love old people!I will ever feel secure in the near of old people,because of my past!I feel warmnes and the same inocent and unconditionel love like in the near of small children.Old people and children ,they build a bridge between generationes.They are one angle in the triangle!They will never be outside!!!

    Love
    Mirela(the woman in elevator)

  • Beautiful words and yeah the power of music is something unbelievable.I have experienced it on so many occasions.
    The best thing ever!

  • It’s not easy to solve this problem, since we are in a world of aged people. In order to be more competitive, the young have little time to show their concerns to the old. I must say that’s too sad.

  • I wish more people did things like this.
    What a wonderful Earth we would live on ;-)

    But we have t be the change we want *LOL* :-)

    A huge hug to all of you !!!!

    Jessica

  • Like in a musical…I never seen such.But I love songs and singing.While child,there were more houses.When was raining,nobody on the streets,and,ihf happened to be on road,I used to sing loud voice.he he Now I will feel so ashamed.But,on line I have a friend that ask me to sing him,any kind of songs,he says to break the ice,to be creative.Is funny.

  • The girl from Ipanema> Way to go.

  • -Formation of Network of people for common purpose leads to Society with common objectives.

    -We may just need society to work for greater purpose either it is to serve people or to give them the feeling of pleasure for living.

    -With common purpose comes, a mission and we should use it for far greater objectives, for human lives and to save our future generations.

    -Life is like a book starts with title similar to your personal names, begins to give you pleasure with each and every different chapters, and finally ends with lesson learned, leaving you in loneliness again.

    -With sharing our common purpose we multiply and with keeping to ourselves we divide.

    God bless Old lady in Copacabana ! :)

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