When the old woman collapses in the middle of a supermarket, no one rushes to help her but what follows when she tries to crawl out leaves everyone stunned.
Martha, a ninetyyearold grandmother, shuffles into the store leaning on her battered wooden cane. Each step aches; her legs tremble and her back hurts so badly she feels she could crumble at any moment, yet she still needs to buy food. Shes used to doing everything herself, despite her age and the loneliness that surrounds her.
She weaves between the aisles, eyeing the products carefully. Grey strands peek out from beneath a checked scarf. She reaches for a loaf of bread, but when she reads the price she puts it back. She then grabs a packet of butter, squints at the label and lets out a long sigh.
The costs seem absurd, almost mocking. She returns items more often, realizing she may not have enough money for the essentials.
The shop buzzes with shoppers, all absorbed in their own errands, and no one notices the frail woman struggling to move. She nears the end of the aisle when she suddenly trips, a sharp, unbearable pain shooting through her leg.
Ow it hurts, she cries, falling onto the cold floor and dropping her cane.
A few customers glance over. Some freeze for a heartbeat before looking away. A woman at the dairy section continues picking out yoghurt, and a man at the checkout pretends not to see anything. Martha tries to get up, but her legs wont obey. She grabs the cane, pulls herself up, and collapses again.
She scans the surrounding shoppers, hoping someone will intervene, but faces remain indifferent. Her lips quiver, tears well up, and she extends a hand as if pleading for aid, yet no one comes. A young man even pulls out his phone and starts filming, thinking its a joke.
Breathless, Martha crawls toward the exit, one hand clinging to her cane, the other dragging along the chilly tiles. The chatter in the store seems to fade, leaving only her laboured breathing and soft whimpers of pain. Every movement is agony, but she presses on, desperate to get out of the supermarket and somehow make it home.
People drift aside, their looks a mix of pity and apathy, as if theyve decided the incident isnt their concern.
At that moment a small girl, no older than five, appears. She clutches a plush teddy bear and leans carefully toward the elderly woman, whispering, Granny, does it hurt? Where are your children?
Martha looks up. A faint, gentle smile flickers across her face. The child extends her tiny hand, trying to help her stand.
The girls mother spots the scene and hurries over, lifts Martha onto a nearby bench and immediately calls an ambulance. While they wait for the paramedics, the little girl grips Marthas hand and murmurs, Dont worry, everything will be alright.
When the ambulance arrives and takes Martha away, a hush falls over the supermarket. The shoppers who had watched her suffering with indifference now avoid each others eyes.
Only that small child has shown what true humanity looks like. She didnt walk past, didnt turn away, didnt fear. In that instant, the fiveyearold was the only person in the room who truly had a soul.
