In the hustle and bustle of crowds lived a woman who was shunned for her appearance. People avoided her not out of genuine aversion, but to join in mocking those seen as weak and helpless.
As she walked in silence, whispers followed her everywhere—words that cut deep into her heart. Yet she could not protest, for the cruel things said about her were what she believed to be true.
"Look at her—she's so ugly, isn't she?" one woman said to her friend, letting out a soft laugh.
"Yeah, you're right," her friend agreed, chuckling quietly too.
These words were like thorns piercing her heart each time they were spoken.
She was consumed by shame, wishing she could disappear into the ground or vanish like a soap bubble—all because of the face she despised so deeply.
To everyone who saw her, her appearance seemed unappealing and inviting of judgment. The shame weighed heavy on her, spreading from her heart down to her knees, even forcing her to hide the rare smile she might have offered behind tight lips.
One evening, as she made her way through the dimly lit streets, she spotted a pitiful figure among other passersby—a homeless elderly woman sitting by the road. She stepped closer to look at her properly and offer help if she could.
When she finally reached her destination, she saw a display of beautiful flowers.
"How much are these flowers?" she asked the old woman, her voice tired and hollow—as if life had drained all warmth from it. She waited quietly for a response, just to have her question answered.
"Twenty pesos each," the elderly woman replied, reaching into her basket. Her voice was weak, as if her muscles had gone unused and unstrengthened for days on end.
"I'll take all of them," she said to the old woman, who survived only on the kindness of strangers in the streets she called home.
"You're a blessing from above, child—thank you so much!" The old woman's face lit up with joy; she could barely believe what she was hearing.
In return for her kindness—shown despite the hardships that had shaped her life—the elderly woman gave her an antique porcelain piece, saying it was meant for someone so willing to help others.
Surprised, she asked, "Why give me something so valuable?" No answer came, but the question stayed with her. All she was left with was a quiet message: "You'll understand when you try it." The words echoed in her mind, leaving her deep in thought as she took in her surroundings.