The Woman Who Heard Ella’s Grandmother’s Story Paid for the Poor Old Lady’s Groceries. Ella’s Grandmother Was Deeply Grateful to Her Friend and Told Her She Is the Only Person She Can Rely on for Help.

The lady told the other woman, with genuine sympathy, that she was alone and had no one to turn to for help. She explained that her meagre state pension went almost entirely towards rent and medication, leaving barely anything for food. A kind friend covered the cost of groceries for the poor old dear.

One day, my childhood friend rang me and asked whether everything was alright with my family. It turned out that her boyfriend had accidentally spotted my grandma in a shop, even though she doesnt even live near that area.

My grandma, Edith, is remarkably sprightly for her age. She used to be a maths teacher back in the day. Now retired, shes still remembered fondly and respected by her former pupils. But in that shop, my friends boyfriend didnt see the energetic Edith the teacher, but rather a rather sad old lady.

Grandma Edith confided in the understanding woman, in a soft voice, explaining she was on her own and in need of a helping hand. She described how her small pension was swallowed up by rent and medicines, and there simply wasnt enough left for food. That compassionate friend bought some groceries for the poor grandma.

My friend was leaving a shop with an old lady in tow, and walked up to her. But the elderly woman quickly said, Go back, and scurried off. I assumed it was all just a misunderstanding. My friends grandma is actually well-off, and we always lend a hand when needed. However, it turned out that the ladys only intention was to buy a bit of food.

That evening, I went round to visit my grandma. I didnt bother beating about the bush, so I asked her straight out. After she replied, honestly, I wasnt sure how to feel about it all.

She explained shed been testing a new approach shed thought of. She would travel as far from home as she could, avoiding anywhere she might bump into an old friend. And who should she run intobut my own best friend! So there she was, unwittingly part of my grandmas social experiment. Statistically, she said, it works about six times out of ten. And all the groceries she receives on her way home, she donates to the local church, rather than keeping them for herselfso in a way, those who help her are actually helping the less fortunate!

I simply cant understand why shes taken up such an odd pastime in her old age. If youre bored, you could get a dog or a hamster. What a pity! My friend made me promise never to mention any of this to anyone.