THE STRANGE TRAVALLER

Jean Valjean
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Me: Jacquin Labarre
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It all started an October evening; I was at my wonderful inn called La Croix de Colbas when a strange traveler came in. La Croix de Colbas was known as the best inn in all D− because of its satiating meals and tranquil rooms, and I Jacquin Labarre was the proud host of it. The strange traveler entered the kitchen and I as seeing a new comer asked him what he wanted. This stranger had a very bad look; he seemed like a vagabond wearing dirty and torn cloth, having a very bad smell and walking like if he was very tired. He told me that he had money to pay for the room and meal so I allowed him to stay, but still this man was very suspicious. I felt pity for this man because he looked in the need of help like if he was very ill, tired or starving to death. Although I felt pity for the stranger he also looked like a dangerous man and I had to protect my inn and the rest of the visitors. All the other people at the lobby stared at him like if he was some freak or weird animal.

While I was preparing supper I wrote a note and told my servant, little Claude, to take it to the major. The note asked the major what kind of person was this traveler and if I should allow him in my inn. I could not stay with the doubt of the traveler being a distrustful person; my worst fear was him being an ex-convict. In our society being an ex-convict was the most disgusted and rejected thing. Even though our judicial system was not the best going to jail was like saying good bye to a normal life. After going to jail it was very difficult to getting a job, a family and getting accepted by the society. After about ten minutes little Claude came back with the note. The major wrote, “The strange traveler is called Jean Valjean, he is a very dangerous thief who has just been released from jail after being 14 years in it. Immediately kick him out of La Croix de Colbas.” Subsequent to reading this note I was very sorry for Jean but I would have to kick him out of the inn. It was not a good decision to give an ex-convict a room, you never know if he could steal again or kill someone. After he asked for supper a couple of times I had to tell him to leave the inn. Jean became somewhat surprised and sad when he heard this, and immediately tried to convince me that he would certainly pay. I had to lie to him and make up many excuses; like that there were neither rooms nor food. Jean Valjean begged a million times to let him stay in the inn but this was an impossible request. I had to be somewhat harsh to him to leave and I really feel bad for this. It was a decision I had to make and I hope that he finds a place to stay and overcomes all his problems.