"Spare a coin for a toothless smile..."

Submitted by Stomper IL

This story was submitted via Stomp App contribution.

For the past two Sundays, Stomper IL has noticed an elderly woman sitting by herself at the corner of Block 18 Upper Boon Keng Road.

She does not beg, but her presence compelled him to wonder why she sits there:

"She sat on the floor at one end of Block 18 behind Hao Mart near Upper Boon Keng Market and Food Centre.

"Her clothes looked good but they didn't fit her and they probably belonged to someone else some time ago.

"She had no cup in front of her and she didn’t stretch out her hands to any passer-by.

"She was invisible as many couldn’t see her.

"To those who saw her and came forth to drop a coin, she would look up at them with gratitude in her eyes and give them her toothless smile.

"Just metres across from her was the food centre that was bustling with breakfast-goers who were either queueing for food or busy eating their favourite breakfast.

"The food was so close to her and yet, so far.

"I don’t know her story or her background, it doesn’t matter.

"She shouldn’t need to sit there.

"I saw her for the first time last Sunday morning and again yesterday morning.

"She wasn’t greedy.

"I asked her last week if I could buy food for her and she said she wasn’t hungry, perhaps… perhaps.

"If you happen to have breakfast at Upper Boon Keng Food Centre, try to see if she is there.

"Maybe you can exchange a coin for a toothless smile."

More About: