Shengliver’s Note: Teen Chen Yun will be a transmitter of generosity.

Every time the two folding chairs in my room meet my eyes, I can’t help but remember a generous elderly lady.

I purchased a lot of groceries with my mum at the SKYL Mall the other week. Following their policy, we were eligible to win a draw prize. When we went up to the counter, the receptionist informed me that the draw had ended for the day but that we could come for it the next day. I agreed and went home with Mother.

The next morning, I made a beeline for the supermarket first thing after breakfast. At the entrance I read the notice about the day’s lucky customers. It said that a customer who has spent 158 yuan at the market can go and get a folding chair for just one yuan. I quickly checked the receipts in my hand. The amount we had spent the day before entitled me to two folding chairs. I would have to pay 2 yuan, though, according to the rules. Unluckily, I did not lug any cash around. What should I do? Unwilling to take the trouble to go all the way home to fetch it, I decided to turn to someone I was acquainted with at the mall. Or there might be a stranger kind enough to loan me just two yuan. You can never tell.

I hung around on the premises. Ten minutes past, I did not see anyone whose name I knew. Then an idea occurred to me. I could go to the veg and fruit department, where there were lots of grannies shopping. Those elderly ladies might give me a hand.

I walked over and pretty soon a target came into view. I approached her and asked for the favour. I explained about my situation. After I finished, the lady was all smiles, replying apologetically, “Girl, I would very much like to help you out, but I have only a 100-yuan banknote on me.”

“That’s all right,” I responded. “Thanks anyway.”

It was not long before I laid my eyes on a second granny. Grey-haired, she was wearing gold-rimmed spectacles. Having heard what I had to say, she inquired about my school and the use of the money. Then she agreed! What a kind lady! It turned out that she used to be a YYHS pupil. That was decades ago. Amazing! What a coincidence! What a small world! Both she and I are linked by YYHS, the lady an alumnus and I a current student.

Taking the two yuan over, I expressed my appreciation to her profusely and promised to repay the loan on the next encounter.

 “Girl, if you hope to reciprocate it, the best way is to pay it forward,” the granny grinned from ear to ear, refusing to take it back. “Please pass it along to someone needy should the occasion arise.”

On the way home, the lady’s words resounded in my ears. This personal experience of mine convinces me that love abounds around us and that I should be a transmitter of it.