A Simple Life Complicated By Other People

A cyclist was peddling happily down the main road feeling good about getting some exercise on his way to work. He was also feeling good about the fact that his carbon emission was almost at zero for the day, he had packed a locally grown, organic lunch, and his recently installed solar panels were starting to pay dividends. He was part of the club now, living the simple life, practicing what he preached to others, living and breathing what he believed. He felt part of the community, he felt that people were finally starting to engage him on his beliefs, he could speak intelligently without being aloof. He stood up on the pedals of his bicycle, he stood tall, pulling in one great breath of satisfaction and accomplishment, he closed his eyes for one brief second, sailing through the red light, and never opened them again. No one will ever know if he heard the diesel engine of the demolition truck, that flattened him like a Monty Python skit, there was nothing the driver could do. He was inconsolable and devastated that he had hurt another human being, that he was hung over after a fight with his wife last night, that he still had half of a fast food burger in his mouth, and the hot breakfast coffee half burned him when he braked too late. He really hated his job right at this second and he felt surprisingly relieved that he'd never have to drive that truck again. Would he end up in jail? Would his wife stand by him? Would his kids think less of him? Would the cyclist's family forgive him? It all sounds very complicated.