“Pay for the Pedicab Ride with Groceries”: When Two Minutes Transformed an Old Man’s Burden into Hope

Medan City, North Sumatra—(13/02/26)—A 64-year-old elderly man still endures working as a pedicab driver amidst the harsh economy. That day, he met Jestham, who became his passenger. But then, Jestham saw an opportunity to do something more meaningful. Jestham then asked the man, "Sir, what if you don't pay for the pedicab with money, but instead you can shop as much as you want inside?" Would you like that?"

The old man was surprised but clearly delighted. Jestham asked him about the most essential need at home. Without hesitation, the man answered, "Rice." According to him, rice is the number one necessity for the kitchen. Jestham then invited the man to enter the store. Jestham gave him two minutes. "You can take whatever items you want. Put them in the basket. This is a blessing from God for you today," Jestham said.

As soon as the countdown began, the old man tried to move as fast as he could. His body was no longer strong, but he kept trying. Jestham kept cheering him on from behind, "Take eggs, sir! Take instant noodles!" Don't hesitate! Hurry, sir!" The man took rice, eggs, instant noodles, and other basic staples. Even though his pedicab was old and broken, the old man only said, "It doesn't matter, the pedicab." What mattered was that he could bring home food for his daily needs.

After two minutes were up, the man's basket was full. But behind his happiness, a sad story began to unfold. Jestham asked, "Have you eaten yet, sir?" The man answered honestly, "Not yet." Finding food is very hard now." He also admitted that he was sick. His blood sugar was high. But he could not afford treatment because he had no money.

Jestham then asked about his family. It turned out the man's wife had passed away. He lived alone in the city. His children were in the village. Despite his severe lack of means, the man still set aside money to send to his children. "If I receive any money, I send it to the village," he said. When asked how it felt to live alone, the man answered softly, "It's hard. No one takes care of me. Lonely. Even when I go for treatment, I go alone."

The old man then revealed something that made the atmosphere even more touching. "For years I've participated in activities like this, but I've never received anything like this. Never," he said. Jestham, hearing this, was moved. She then gave additional help in the form of cash. "This is a little extra blessing for you, sir. You can use it to buy medicine or other necessities," Jestham said. The old man immediately thanked her repeatedly. His eyes welled up with tears. "May God lengthen your life," he prayed.

Before parting, Jestham reminded the old man to always take care of his health. The old man intended to send some of his groceries to the village for his children. He said goodbye while continuously giving thanks. Two minutes might feel very short. But for that old pedicab driver, those two minutes from Jestham turned hunger into fullness, loneliness into being touched, and despair into hope. Kindness does not need to be grand. What it needs is a heart willing to see and hands willing to give.