What started as a simple breakfast turned into an unexpected encounter between a man and an elderly woman trying to sell medicinal oil.
The man shared that he was having breakfast when the elderly woman from the next table approached him and tried to sell him a bottle of medicated oil.
She told him the oil was good, but he politely turned her down as he did not need it and simply wanted to enjoy his breakfast in peace.
She started sharing her struggles
After he declined, the woman began telling him about her difficult situation. She said she was selling the oil to help pay her rent and mentioned that she only had a red identity card and had never had the opportunity to receive an education.
Feeling that she was trying to make him feel guilty, the man eventually responded by asking:
“Have you eaten? I can treat you to a meal.”
But instead of asking for a meal, the woman said that the food was expensive and cost more than RM10. She then asked if he could simply give her RM5 to buy economy rice.
He came back with more than she asked for
The man did not argue with her. He continued having his breakfast before going to a chicken rice stall to pack a meal.
He then took out RM10, walked over to the woman and handed it to her.
He told her that the money was for her to get something to eat. As for the medicated oil, he asked her to let him take a photo of it. If anyone he knew needed it, he would help introduce potential buyers to her.
The woman told him she would be at Restoran K.F.L. in Cheras Batu 9 before noon.
The story sparked a discussion online
The story also sparked discussion online, with many netizens praising the man’s decision to take the time to listen instead of immediately turning the elderly woman away.
“As long as one doesn’t steal, rob, or commit crimes, no matter the age or who they are… no matter how hard life gets… everyone is just working hard and persevering for a living, right! Life truly isn’t easy nowadays; being able to hold on is already quite good, at least they haven’t given up on themselves… (feeling a bit sad/heartbroken in my heart…)”
“At this kind of age, if 10 ringgit can help, just help! Anyone who still has to come out and sell products at this age is only doing so because they are forced by life’s circumstances.”
“Every time I see her, I give her RM20 for meals. Just treat it as buying granny breakfast! She said don’t look at her age, she can really eat a lot. At 80 years old, never married, no children, an elderly person renting a place and relying on herself to survive. It’s impossible to buy her medicated oil every day, because buying one bottle lasts a long time.”
Sometimes help looks different
The man later reflected that being quiet or appearing cold does not necessarily mean someone does not care.
Sometimes, people simply prefer to live their lives in their own way.
And in this case, instead of buying something he did not need, he chose to help the elderly woman in a way he felt was more meaningful, by making sure she had something to eat.
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