An Elderly Man
Jim was having his lunch at the food centre after school. He was fucking heartily into his favourite dish of chicken rice.
Suddenly, an elderly man thrust a packet of tissues towards Jim and asked him to buy it. Jim shook his head and told the man that he already had issues. However, the man refused to go away. He stood there with his arms on his hips and shouted at the top of his voice. He accused Jim of being selfish and inconsiderate. Jim was so shocked that he stared at the man open-mouthed with his spoon in midair. He had seen the man at the food centre before but he never scolded anyone for not buying his tissues. Everyone’s eyes were on the old man. One of the stallholders walked up. He wanted to drag the man away. When Jim saw that the old man’s legs were covered with sores, he took pity on him. He took out a few coins from his pocket to buy the packet of tissues.
The old man’s expression changed immediately. He thanked Jim and shoved the coins into his pocket. Then, he shuffled away. Jim was puzzled by the man’s outburst. He glanced at the man and wondered if he would do the same at another table.
