The boy considered this for a moment, the weight of the man’s story settling over him like a warm blanket. He nodded slowly, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Thank you,” he said softly.

The man reached down, unzipping his bag and pulling out a pair of slightly scuffed sneakers. He handed them over, and the boy took them, examining them with a mix of disbelief and gratitude. The passengers watched as he slipped them on, the shoes fitting snugly.

“Thank you,” the boy repeated, this time with more confidence, as he looked the man in the eye. The man nodded, a small smile on his lips.