My cap flew off my head. I spun around and saw three bullies holding my hat escaping. I rolled my eyes. “Can humanity have any dignity for once!?”. I glared and sat on a bus bench closest to me. On this bench sat an old man; he had to be older than 60. He seemed to be staring out into nothing. If he wasn’t breathing I would have assumed he was dead. He chuckled “What’s so funny old man?” I stared, today was not the day to be laughed at, especially by a man older than the Mona Lisa itself. I sat down and grabbed my phone out and scrolled on Tik Tok. There was no point in getting my hat back, plus I couldn’t miss the bus. I looked back at the old man who seemed to be staring at the house across the street. With nothing better to do I asked “what brings you here” in my most polite voice. He stared back at me surprised. “Im coming back from visiting an old friend”. I pulled out my phone, still an hour until the bus comes. “Why did those kids steal your hat?” I looked at him, offended. I mumbled “it doesn’t matter.” He chuckled again. “You know I was once like you” I looked at him “How?”. “You can’t let them get to you”. Why was this man I have never met giving me a pep talk? “Just be kind little one”, with that he got up and left, leaving me with a smile. I was dumbfounded. He left behind a coin, gold and shiny; “kindness” wad printed in capital letters. I picked it up, “wait you left your..” He was gone. I smiled, placed the coin in my pocket, and went home.

Many years later, the same bench but different, tired with age. How old was I? “Chuckles” old. Many Years past since I met the old man, he had probably moved on, although I stay here. I stare at nothing and am startled when I hear an angry voice “Are you kidding me!?” It was coming from a girl. Probably my age when I last sat here. I fumbled with the same coin in my pocket, smiling, knowing exactly what to do.