Granddad
It was summer. I was walking home from training that evening, lost in my thoughts as the sun started dipping behind the red-brick houses. Thats when I noticed an elderly gentleman, clearly quite old, who had fallen onto the pavement and seemed unable to get up. People passing by kept a wide berth, shooting him wary looks, probably assuming he was just another drunkard. Yet I could hear him muttering under his breath, reaching out his hands towards anyone whod spare him a glance.
Mum had always emphasised the importance of helping others, no matter the circumstances. So, I went over to him and asked, Do you need a hand, sir? He couldnt offer any clear words in return, just mumbled and reached out to me with his hands.
A woman walking by gave me a sharp look and said, Best leave him alone, love. Can’t you see hes had one too many? You’ll catch something, covered in filth like that. Dont get your clothes dirty! When I looked more closely, I saw his hands were smeared with blood. Panic fluttered in my chest. I asked him gently what had happened, but he just continued to mumble incoherently, his eyes defeated. Then he lifted a battered old carrier bag lying next to him, inside of which were shards of broken beer bottles. As he carefully picked up more shards and placed them in the bag, I realised why his hands had been bleeding.
I began wiping the blood from his hands with some wet wipes Id had in my bag. I wanted to help him up and walk him home, but didnt really fancy getting my own clothes covered in blood if I could help it. Once his hands were clean enough, I helped him to his feet. When I asked for his address, he just started muttering nonsense again, nothing I could make out no matter how I strained to listen. Sensing my confusion, he began gesturing, indicating the way with his hand.
Thats how I managed to lead him towards a block of flats in the same estate. He pointed at the intercom and then showed me two numbers using his fingershis flat number, I presumed. I pressed the right buttons, and a womans anxious voice came through straight away. The old man mumbled again, and within moments, a woman and a man burst out of the building. They hurried over, fussing over the gentleman to check that he was all right. The man thanked me, scooped the elderly gentleman into his arms, and carried him inside. The woman, meanwhile, kept asking me how they could possibly thank me.
I said there was really no need, and was about to leave when she remembered something and asked me to wait. She dashed inside, reappearing a minute later with a huge basket of raspberries. Grown ourselves, she announced proudly. I thanked her, but tried to refuse. She insisted, Please, take them. We were worried sick! Wed only just come back from the allotment and realised he was gone.
She went on to explain: during the war, the Germans had captured her father-in-law. To protect sensitive informationhed been in a high positionhe injured his own tongue so he couldn’t be made to talk. Back then, with poor hygiene in the camp, the wound became infected and they had to amputate part of his tongue. Ever since, hed only been able to make indistinct sounds, like a deaf-mute.
Thered been a problem in the area lately with teenagers gathering in the evenings, drinking and smashing beer bottles all over the playground. She said theyd even reported it to the police, but nothing had changed. Her daughter Sophie had cut her foot badly on a bit of glass last week; since then, her father-in-law took it upon himself to tidy up the broken glass, even though his legs were weak. Theyd tried everythinghiding the flat keys, asking him not to go outbut he always found a way. One time hed even fallen and lain on the cold pavement for five hours until someone found him. Theyd been about to go looking when I rang the bell.
After listening to her story, I was speechless. She pressed the basket into my hands, and all I could do was nod, bow my head in thanksI truly couldnt find any words. I trudged home, and halfway there, tears streamed down my face.
Why is it like this here? Why do we only think of ourselves? If you ever see someone on the ground, unable to stand, dont just assume the worst. Stop and ask if they need help. You might be the only one who does. Especially for young people, let’s not forget that we are humansnot pigs.
