“Thank you,” the elderly woman said, her voice a mixture of gratitude and surprise.

The young man offered a gentle smile. “No problem, ma’am. I’m just glad you’re feeling better.”

The atmosphere on the bus shifted noticeably. The whispering that had been filled with judgment now buzzed with admiration. The young man returned to his seat, putting his headphones back on, but now the passengers looked at him differently.

As the bus continued its journey, the elderly woman glanced over at the young man, who was once again staring out the window, lost in his music. She realized how quick she had been to judge him and how wrong she had been. Her heart felt heavy with the burden of her earlier words.