Help is a Compassion and Mutual Healing

When I was 18, I went to England to study at university, still grappling with the familiar pain of being an orphan. One day, while heading to the market, I saw an old man struggling with a stick and a bag of apples, the apples spilling out onto the ground. I rushed over to help, picking up each apple and putting them back into the bag.

“Thank you, girl. You’re very kind!” he said, smiling at me with bright, gentle eyes.

“Can I walk with you?” I asked. “I’m afraid the apples might fall out again.”

And that’s how my friendship with Mr. Burns began. He had a warm smile that reminded me of my father. I carried the bag of apples while Mr. Burns leaned on his cane, dragging each step with difficulty. When we arrived at his house, I placed the bag on the table and made tea. I asked if I could visit him again sometime. The next day, I returned and helped him make tea. I told him about my life as an orphan, living with relatives, and studying abroad to become independent. He showed me two photos on the table – his aunt Mary and his daughter Alice, both of whom had died in an accident six years ago.

I visited Mr. Burns twice a week, always on the same days. Each time I arrived, I found him sitting in a big chair with his cane beside him. Seeing me always made him happy. Though I believed I was bringing joy to a lonely old man, in reality, I was the happiest one. It was simply wonderful to share and have someone listen to my confessions.

After two months, I decided to visit Mr. Burns on a different day than usual, without calling ahead, thinking it would be a special surprise. I saw him in his garden, walking, bending down, and looking up easily, without his cane! Was this the same Mr. Burns who always leaned heavily on his cane? He suddenly looked up and saw me. Clearly noticing my confusion and surprise, he waved me over.

“Come, my dear, let me make you some tea today,” Mr. Burns said, leading me into the house.

“I thought…” I began.

“I know what you’re thinking, my dear. The first time we met at the market, my knee did hurt. I bumped it into a door…”

“But… when did you start walking normally again?” I asked, bewildered.

“The next day,” he said with a twinkle in his eye.

“But why…?” I was still confused.

“The second time you visited, I realized you were sad and lonely, and you needed someone to lean on. But I feared you might not come back if you knew I was healthy.”

“And the stick?” I asked.

“Ah, a good stick! I often use it to block the fence doors.”

Mr. Burns had pretended to be in need to help me feel useful and strong. It was his way of healing a young and sensitive girl like me.

 This touching narrative encapsulates the unexpected friendship between a young woman and an elderly man, highlighting themes of empathy, compassion, and mutual healing. This story beautifully illustrates how human connections can heal and transform lives, emphasizing the reciprocal nature of compassion and support.