Afternoon Blessings for a Sugarcane-Selling Father Having a Quiet Day

Medan, North Sumatra – (March 13, 2026) – On one occasion, Jestham approached an elderly sugarcane seller who was deep in thought beside his quiet stall. Without further ado, she offered him a simple challenge: "Sir, I have some blessings from God. How would you like to shop as much as you want inside?" Without hesitation, the father, whose eyes began to light up, answered, "Yes, I would!" With permission and barely contained joy, they entered the minimarket located right behind them.

It turned out the father's sales were not busy that day. He had only made around IDR 50,000. Jestham then presented a challenge: the father could shop for 2 minutes. Once the time was up, he had to stop. The father agreed. As soon as the countdown finished, he moved quickly, grabbing rice, cooking oil, Indomie, soap, and several other items.

When time was up, the father looked overjoyed. He gave thanks, "Alhamdulillah." Jestham asked how he felt receiving this blessing. The father answered with teary eyes, "Happy." Nothing like this has ever happened to me. Suddenly someone does this... I'm too happy, too joyful."

When asked what the hardest thing about being a father is, he answered honestly, "Earning a living. To pay for daily needs. If I don't bring home money, I feel dizzy. I keep thinking, where will I get money to shop later?" He also admitted that he truly misses his wife, who had passed away before him. He even confessed that he does not wish to remarry.

Then Jestham asked if there was any food he wanted to eat but felt guilty buying. The father answered softly, "Bolu Zulaika. " It turned out he had never bought it because he considered it too expensive. Hearing this, Jestham gave him extra money specifically for it. "Sir, this is to buy Bolu Zulaika. Please eat it, okay? Promise me?" The father nodded while thanking her.

Before saying goodbye, Jestham left the father's shopping items at the store because he still had to sell until the afternoon. "The father will pick them up later when he goes home," Jestham told the store employee. The father gave thanks once again. His face, which had initially looked tired, now shone brightly—a small afternoon blessing that made a father feel truly valued and loved.