Little girl with the big bag

It was a beautiful summer day but a bit too hot for a long walk. I had an appointment near the city centre, so I decided to take the tram. My destination was about 200m from the tram stop. I was 15 minutes early - so I walked leisurely there. I was about 50 metres away when I heard a little girl's voice calling out,
“Mistress - can you help me?”

I was a bit taken aback as I saw the child, but did not expect her to speak to me as I passed by. At first glance, one would have thought she was waiting outside the store for an adult.
I instinctively replied, “Yes”, then added, “What can I do to help you?”
She responded, “I need to go to the Lidl supermarket but I cannot find it. I am lost.”

I saw that the child was holding a large shopping bag but it was from a competitor, Albert Heijn. I did not want to make assumptions so I asked the child,
“Do you have a receipt?”
“Yes” she answered, “It is inside the bag.”

I then explained to the girl that I will use my phone to try to find the supermarket. She nodded. Unfortunately, I could not find it. Aware that my 15 minutes lead time was dwindling but wanting to help the child, I said to her,
”I want to help you but I do not know where the supermarket is.”
She said, “Ok mistress.”
I then explained while pointing, “I have an appointment at that shop on the corner. If you would like to walk with me, I will ask there for directions to the Lidl.”
She responded, “Ok mistress.”

I offered to help with the bag but she politely declined,
“No thank you.”, she said firmly.

We began walking and I noticed that the large bag was a bit of a struggle for the child but she was managing. It felt awkward walking beside her with the big bag but I wanted to respect her wishes. I observed the girl closely. She was clean and tidy. She looked small but was strong. She spoke softly but was emphatic. I initially thought that she was about 6 but now I was guessing that she must be older. I asked her age and she told me that she was 8.

Upon arrival at my appointment. She entered the shop with me. I greeted the receptionist who was already looking at the child. I told her about my appointment, then I explained the girl's plight. The receptionist knew the supermarket’s location which was a little over 3 blocks away. The child was quiet but attentive while we spoke. When she heard the reception say that it was close to a small playground - the little girl smiled. The receptionist asked and the the girl confirmed that it was the correct supermarket. I asked her whether I should walk with her and she said,
“Yes mistress.”

Then the receptionist noticed the shopping bag was not from Lidl. I asked the child if she minded showing us the receipt.
She took it out and showed it to me while holding it. It was from Lidl. She hurriedly replaced the receipt in the bag. She knew that she needed to protect the bag and the receipt. Clearly, she understood the value of the contents of the bag.

side street in the city

As we crossed the main road, the little girl walked closer to me. I had to wonder whether the busy main road scared her. I said to her,
“Are you ok?”
“Yes mistress,” she answered without looking at me. She was paying attention to the traffic around us.

I said to her, “You asked me to help you but do you know that you cannot ask just anyone?’
She said, “Yes, my mother told me to only speak to ladies.”
I asked her whether she had asked anyone before me. She answered, “Yes but one lady was too busy.”

Then she was quiet. I did not ask any additional questions. She seemed well informed. I was saddened that for whatever reason the “one lady” did not help her but now she found me.

We walked the rest of the way in silence. I had many questions in mind but I did not want to ask. At the corner of the second block to the right, I could already see the playground. As we walked closer, I saw the Lidl. The little girl stopped at the play area. I watched her as she observed the children playing. It was clear she wanted to join but had other duties. We stood there for at least 2 minutes in silence.
I said to the child, “The Lidl is just over there, should I walk you there.”
She said, “No”, then “thank you mistress.”
“Will you be able to find your way home?”
“Yes mistress.”
“Will you be ok now?”, I inquired.
She said, “Yes mistress.”
Then she said, “Goodbye.”

I walked away but at the corner of the street, I stopped. The little girl was still watching the children play. She saw me looking, then waved at me. I waved back. I felt that was my cue to really depart.
It was as though she was saying, “Thank you, I remember everything now. You helped me - now I can manage on my own.”

As I walked away, a myriad of questions/thoughts ran through my mind.
How long will she watch the kids play? Will she get home safely? Should I have insisted and gone to the supermarket with her?
Will the supermarket honor her refund request? I hoped there were no frozen products in the bag.

When I returned to the appointment I was commended for taking time for the little girl. I told them they would do the same. I shared my concerns. They assured me that I did enough. Thereafter, my family said the same as well. Despite that. I could not stop thinking about the child. .

Compassion with respect
I had many other thoughts but who am I to assume. I see other children walking around the city alone but they are just passersby. Everyone has their own unique situations. I am never brought into their lives nor know their stories. I am comforted myself with the thought that the little girl seemed assertive and clear about her preferences.

I believe in compassion but I wanted to be respectful. It did not matter that she was a child. I did not want to make too many assumptions either. I preferred to refrain from judging or telling her what I thought I should do to help her. I could empathize and be kind but I should not impose my will. The little girl asked for what she needed and I provided that. If she had said that she couldn't find her home, then I would have gone to the police. I can assume many things but I did not know her full story or that of her mother’s. I could assume how it was/could be or should be but I do not know how things truly are.

I never learnt her name but I will not forget our chance meeting. I can only be happy that I met this little girl and could assist her. I wish her well.

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The photo is my own