Acts of Compassion: The Inspiring Story of an Unyielding Becak Driver

Pulo Brayan, Medan City—(04/02/25) As the city’s inhabitants rushed against time, Jestham noticed an elderly pedicab driver, his back hunched with age, standing in front of a minimarket where he now found himself. The low-hanging afternoon sun seemed to illuminate the deep wrinkles on his face, each line telling the story of thousands of kilometers he had pedaled through.

Without hesitation, Jestham approached the man and offered to help him buy groceries and other necessities from the minimarket. The old man’s expression instantly transformed, surprised by the unexpected kindness from a stranger. With a wide smile, he accepted the offer and stepped into the store with renewed energy.

For two minutes, the man was free to pick up anything he needed. Without delay, he grabbed rice, cooking oil, instant noodles, laundry soap, and other daily essentials. When asked how he felt, the man simply smiled warmly and said, “This is an unexpected blessing from God.” He also shared that in his over 40 years of pedaling a becak (pedicab), it was rare for someone to suddenly offer him help like this.

The man, who turned out to be 71 years old, began recounting his life. Despite his advanced age, his spirit to keep working never faded. Every day, he struggled to find passengers to support his wife, children, and two grandchildren who still depended on him. “At the very least, I need to bring home Rp100,000 a day to provide for my family,” he said. Yet, there were days when he returned empty-handed, forced to endure hunger until fortune smiled upon him.

What touched the heart the most was his unwavering resilience. Despite his unstable income, he remained grateful and never complained. “What matters is that I’m healthy and able to work. If there’s extra, I buy snacks for my grandchildren,” he said with a laugh. He also expressed how precious his wife’s support had been, standing faithfully by his side for decades without complaint, even in times of hardship.

Before parting, Jestham slipped some money into the old man’s trembling hands—a small gift to buy his grandchild’s favorite martabak. The dusk that witnessed this brief encounter seemed to tremble as well, silently preserving the lessons of selfless giving, the beauty of gratitude, and the priceless strength of perseverance.

To the tireless father, may tomorrow be brighter than today. May the smiles of your loved ones lift your spirits in weariness and soothe all your burdens. The world may not always be fair, but believe this—kindness like yours will never be in vain. Keep pedaling, sir, for at the end of that arduous road, happiness awaits.