Compassion

 

“Oh, my god! You look so hungry and cold! Let me help you!”

He couldn’t believe his ears.

He must be dreaming. No one ever talked to him or offered him any sort of kindness.

The old man slowly opened his eyes and peered out from under his knit cap and untrimmed hair. He was hungry and cold. The old moving blanket he’d found did precious little to keep the chill out.

For years, now, he’d given up hoping for some human compassion.

His eyes found the woman who’d spoken.

She was walking away, a bedraggled kitten in her arms.