Five Thousand for Hope: A Portrait of Kindness on the City Streets

Medan City, North Sumatra—(06/01/25) Amid the hustle and bustle of the city streets, Jestham encountered a father selling trumpets, pedaling his old bicycle from morning until evening. Priced at five thousand rupiah per trumpet, he battled uncertainty—sometimes sales were brisk, but often, they were slow. When Jestham bought several trumpets and distributed them to schoolchildren while slipping in some extra money, the man’s face lit up with a sincere smile, his eyes gleaming with gratitude. Yet, behind his sweat-streaked resilience lay a deep sorrow.

“I have five children… one has passed away,” the father said softly. His eldest son, the family’s backbone, had died 40 days earlier in a motorcycle accident. Despite his recent loss, he continued working tirelessly for his wife and remaining children. “He was closest to me,” he shared, reminiscing about his son, who—even after starting his own family—had been his greatest source of encouragement. Jestham could only nod silently, sharing in his grief while offering words of comfort.

The story of this trumpet seller is a real-life portrait of a father’s perseverance. With a profit of just a thousand rupiah per trumpet, he struggles to provide for his family. “For my wife and children,” he replied when asked why he keeps working. Jestham was deeply moved by his humility and determination. Despite his grief, the man refused to give up. He kept pedaling his bicycle, selling trumpets with the hope that blessings would come, little by little.

When Jestham bought trumpets for the neighborhood children, the father’s face brightened. “Alhamdulillah, this is God’s provision for me today,” he said gratefully as Jestham handed him extra money. Through his simple life, he taught the meaning of sincerity and gratitude. Jestham, in turn, offered words of encouragement, praying for his family’s health and strength. “Don’t forget to pray. No matter what happens, always rely on the Almighty,” the father advised his children.

That brief interaction left a profound impression on Jestham. She realized that even small acts of kindness—like buying a trumpet or simply listening to someone’s story—could become a light in another’s life. The trumpet seller may not have known it, but his sincerity and resilience inspired many. Behind his modest life, he was a hero to his family.

A Father's Daily Struggle to Earn a Living

As Jestham bid farewell, the father thanked her with a smile. “May your trumpets sell like hotcakes,” she prayed for him. The old bicycle pedaled away, carrying new hope through the busy city. His story reminded everyone that behind every struggle lies a human story worth hearing.

That day, Jestham returned home with a valuable lesson: life is not always easy, but as long as there is sincerity and a spirit of sharing, hope will never fade. The humble trumpet seller, in all his simplicity, became a reminder that kindness and perseverance are the most beautiful legacies one can leave in this world.