This happened several years ago when I was still quite new in the city. I was doing my grocery shopping one day, and when I wanted to pay for my things, it turned out that I didn't have enough funds on my bank account for the things I'd chosen. It seemed something had been paid from my account that I had forgotten about.
I was so embarrassed and ashamed. There was a queue forming behind me. I became very flustered (慌乱的) and very close to tears. I tried to quickly pick some things out that weren't so urgent for me to buy. The cashier (收银员) , a patient, elderly man, saw how upset I was and gently said, "Please, don't worry about picking out groceries to leave behind and you can pay me back for the difference another day." I immediately refused since I didn't know him, but he insisted he would pay for the difference because he also had daughters and sometimes life could be hard. I thanked him greatly while I packed my things. I asked him what his name was so I could bring the money another day. He said, "Just ask for Baba (Father) and everyone calls me that here."
I came back a few days later with the money, a thank-you card, and some homemade cookies. I asked a young salesman if he'd seen the old man and he immediately told me, "Oh! That must be Baba!" It was clear that he was very familiar with him. I explained what had happened and he nodded. "Yes, that is something he would do. He is a bit of an extra father to all of us working here, too. He isn't working today but I will make sure he gets this."
Thank you, Baba, for looking out for me that day, and for taking good care of your coworkers, too! I think it is people like Baba that make the world beautiful.
