"Rags, rags! Give me your tired, dirty, and old rag and I will give you a new, clean, and fresh one. Rags, rags." That was the cry to which I awoke one bright sunny Friday morning. I sprang from my bed and peered out my second-story apartment window. There he was, the ragman of our town. He was 6'4" if he was an inch, youthful in appearance and strong of build. I had heard so much about him but never actually seen him. I threw on some clothes, bounded down the stairs and out the front door of my apartment building. I thought, this is my opportunity to see where he goes and what he does. I decided to watch at a distance.

The ragman pushed his basketful of rags ahead of him. He continued his cry, "Rags, rags. Give me your old, tired, and dirty rag and I will give a fresh, clean, and new one…