A Prostration of Gratitude on the Minimarket Floor: When Jestham Became the Answer to a Pedicab Driver’s Prayer

Medan, North Sumatra—(May 11, 2026) There are encounters that remind us that behind someone’s bitter smile lies a wound they have never spoken of. That was what Jestham felt when she saw an old man sitting lost in thought in his pedicab. His steps were slow, his body frail, yet he remained faithfully waiting for a fare that never came. “Sir, what are you doing?” Jestham greeted her gently. In a hoarse voice, the old man replied, “How can I not be sad today? It’s so quiet, Ma’am.” Jestham fell silent. She knew that behind that simple sentence lay a heavy struggle.

Seeing the sorrow on the old man’s face, Jestham was moved. “Sir, I have a blessing from God. Would you like to buy groceries to your heart’s content?” she offered. The old man immediately held up his hands and gave thanks again and again. Without a second thought, he followed Jestham to the nearest minimarket. When they arrived, the old man admitted something that made Jestham’s heart catch. “I have never been in here, Ma’am. This is my first time,” he said innocently. A simple confession that illustrated how far the distance was between his daily life and the luxury of a minimarket.

Inside the store, Jestham asked, “What are the most important household needs right now?” The old man answered in a trembling voice, “Rice, oil—we’ve run out completely. We buy a kilo or two.” Jestham then invited him to take the basic necessities one by one. “Please take them, Sir,” she said while continuing to add rice to the cart. When asked how many people were at home, the old man answered three, and he also admitted that there had been times when they could not eat at all. Hearing that, Jestham added several more sacks of rice. Suddenly, the old man said in a faint voice, “I’m not making anything up, Ma’am. This is the reality.” His eyes began to well up. “We don’t even have the money for rent. People have cursed me out.”

Jestham calmed the old man and invited him to continue shopping. They headed to the instant noodle aisle. But the old man hesitated. “I don’t dare take too much, because I accept whatever is there,” he said, full of gratitude. Jestham smiled and reassured him, “It’s a blessing, Sir. It’s okay.” She then added cooking oil, soap, eggs, and various other basic necessities to the cart. Seeing everything that had been gathered, the old man could not hold back his emotion. “I want to pray first, Ma’am,” he asked. Jestham let him. With hands raised, the old man offered a prayer of gratitude, tears falling onto his cheeks. “Alhamdulillah, Sir, this is today’s blessing. We’ll pay first, and after that you can take it home, Sir,” Jestham said gently.

While waiting for the payment, they talked again. The 63-year-old man told her that he had two children, but one had died. He wanted very much to send his child to school as high as possible, but he could not afford it because of his limitations as a pedicab driver. Jestham listened attentively. Then the old man remembered something. “Yes, the owner of the rented house has come. He needs more than 2 million rupiah. I could only say, later, in October, we’ll pay it off. He wants to evict me,” he said bitterly. He also told her how earlier he had been looking for a fare, confused about where else to go. Jestham could only nod, feeling the heavy burden on the shoulders of an old man.

Jestham then noticed something. “Sir, I apologize. I ask your permission—the back of your shirt is torn. I’m sorry to ask, but do you not have everyday clothes to wear at home, Sir?” she asked carefully. The old man answered that at home there were only three or four pieces of clothing. Jestham then said, “Sir, earlier you said you wanted to use the money to pay the rent. I have a little blessing here.” Before Jestham could continue, the old man was already sobbing. He had not expected to receive help like this. “No one has ever been this kind to me, Ma’am,” he said as he cried. “This is today’s blessing, Sir. Who knows, it could also help you buy clothes, Sir,” Jestham said soothingly.

Suddenly, something unexpected happened. The old man immediately prostrated on the minimarket floor. “Alhamdulillah, thank you, Ma’am, thank you for helping me. O Allah, Your servant prostrates in gratitude to You, O Allah,” his crying burst forth. He truly could not contain his emotion. Jestham was stunned; her heart ached at the sight. Gently she said, “Blessings for all of us, Sir. I pray you are always healthy, Sir. May what God has given today help you, Sir.” The old man was still sobbing, still prostrating, still giving thanks over and over.

Before parting, Jestham made sure all the items had been paid for. “Sir, all these items have been paid for by Koko. You can take them home later. I hope all the children at home are happy, Sir,” she said as she said goodbye. The old man nodded, his eyes still wet, but his smile now blossomed. “Alhamdulillah, thank you very much, Ma’am,” he said in a trembling voice.

This story teaches us that a prostration of gratitude is not only performed on a prayer mat but can also happen anywhere when someone feels truly no longer alone. That pedicab driver may not have many things in this world, but he has a heart full of gratitude. And Jestham, with her sincerity, has become a channel of blessing that changed his day. May we all always be given the sensitivity to see those in need and the courage to be the reason for a smile for others.