Alighting at the Louvre, we were strolling through the gardens towards the river. Few people were about but I was keen to get to the bank of the Seine; that wonderful waterway I’d heard and read so much about. I walked ahead looking for a path down to the river.
John was a little distracted camera-ways as he kept seeing shots he wanted to take. He was involved with the following composition when he noticed a passer-by stoop and start examining something in his hand. The stranger approached John, holding out his hand, asking (more sign language than English) if John had lost a ring. He showed John a gentleman’s gold wedding band. John said “no”, trying to explain to him that it didn’t belong to him. He then called me over.
The stranger said he had found the ring and it must be ours and he would give it to us. Once again we tried to tell him it wasn’t. I took my gloves off, showed him that I had all my rings and that I didn’t want another. It was a gift for me, un cadeau for your wife Monseiur! He kept repeating. I said we needed to go to the gendarme...
The cheerful man would have none of that, he chatted away, still insisting, then kissed me on both cheeks, wished us a bonne journee, shook and kissed hands and headed off in the opposite direction. We were a little confused - John still had the ring in his hand. The amiable stranger then halted, turned and called and returned to us, asking if we could spare some coins as he was hungry and would like to buy a sandwich.
We continued chatting as I willingly got out the euros for the generous stranger. We found he was from Yugoslavia. “Whereabouts”, John asked, “Croatia, Slovakia, Slovenia?” He was a little evasive in his friendly way, but he thought Slovakia.
We said goodbye again, but by this time I was a little suspicious, asking John if the ring was real. “Yes”, he said examining the 18 kt stamp inside. We then wondered where we would find the police to hand it in.
It was only a minute or two later that another passer-by stooped down then held out his hand asking if John had lost a gold ring. We both laughed … John thought it was the biggest joke! He had been well and truly conned - he laughed all day long...
That day seven people approached us asking if we’d lost a gold ring!!! John was really into the swing of it by the third, playing along with them, suggesting they swap etc.
None them had the skill and charm of the first though. He had made our day and we hope he enjoyed his sandwich - he deserved it!
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