A Vignette (of long ago)

It had stormed the night before - I braked suddenly as obstacles loomed ahead. Several broken limbs lay scattered across the country road. I slowed down and picked my way - driving first left then right and I was through and on my way. But then my rear view I saw another traveler, who had followed me, who had stopped and got out of his pickup truck. I thought he could surely get through in a truck. But he had nobler thoughts than I. He was dragging debris to the side ditch - limb by limb - clearing the road for those who followed. I felt a blush of shame and I remember still.