Jiajia,
This afternoon, on my way to home, I passed by a small roadside market as often, where packmen were engaging in selling their fruits, vegetable, or food. It is much busy there each afternoon when people finish their work and go home. I also like to buy something there though the market is small and there isn’t much choice, but it is more convenient for me. I bought some special flavor meat today. This flavor meat is my favorite food.
There were several watermelon stalls sited one by one in the east of the market. One of the stalls surrounded by several clients, it was obviously having good business at that moment. The seller looked very excited and happy for his business. He talked and laughed loudly to the clients. He was a little arrogant because of his business. Just near the good business stall, there were a woman and a man, who maybe was the woman’s hubby, were anxiously waiting for clients in their stall. Their business looked much bad, no clients went to it to select watermelon or ask price. They looked much anxiously that moment while their close stall was doing good business. From their appearance and temperament, they seemed just starting this kind of business and not skillful for prompting business. Probably, they just lost their job, setting the stall is their only hope to maintain their basic living. The woman looked much worrying and the man looked much restrained. I could not imagine what was their feeling that moment. I was deeply touched by the poor and frustrated couple. Especially, the woman’s worrying expression made me deep impression. I even may clearly recall the expression now. What a poor and helpless expression!
I decided to go to their stall to buy a watermelon. Though I knew your mother would buy the fruit this afternoon, buying watermelon is indeed no needed for me. But strong sympathy and caring to them prompted me to buy a watermelon from them. I was not sure if they just lost their job, doing the business was their only hope. And I don’t know how was their family situation, if they had a child in university, which is the place for consuming big money. Or they had an ill senior for whom they had to pay expensive medical fee. But I am sure, the benefit of the business must be important to them. Maybe, today’s income from the business was their bread tomorrow. Perhaps, my buying would extremely inspire them and gave them confidence.
When I went to their stall, they both warmly and excitedly received me. I made some joke to them while I was asking the price and they were balancing the watermelon. I could see they both were in excited mood in the whole process of doing business with me. My joke and humor made them relaxed and smile. Their business seemed recovering vigor because of me. When I left them, they both politely see “Bye” to me.
I am happy and please for what I have done to the couple. Although, when I cut the watermelon at home and found it was not well ripe. But I am still happy for what I have done. In fact, it is not important that how big confidence they could get from me. The most important is that I have given my caring and help to them. It just used my a little love and caring.
Dad June 19,2003
