Bus

I waited to board a bus. Ahead of me a woman, her salad days long past, trundled a wicker basket full of folded clothes. The bus came, the door opened, the driver shouted down to her, “Can’t bring that basket unless you pay an extra fare!” She was crestfallen and rooted about for the few extra coins she might have. The man behind me said, “I’ll pay the fare!” He came around me, took the basket, mounted the bus and paid the fare for himself, the woman, and the basket. I rode the bus in silence. I learn every day.