Your Seat, My Seat

The train arrived at the same time every day. Mdm. Lim Swee Neo usually boarded the same carriage, with the same expressionless, tired faces staring blankly at her. The crowded carriage meant that a seat was a precious commodity that no one wanted to give up.

The situation never failed to make Mdm. Lim boil over in frustration. There were countless times on her journey to visit her grandson when she needed a seat, but blank looks or feigned exhausted stares would greet her.

Thankfully, Mdm.Lim was hale and hearty for her age. Half an hour of standing did not make a difference to her rather youthful form. 

Part 2

The beginning of the week rolled around, with everyone suffering from

The Monday blues. Teens filled the train, their faces sulky at the prospect of another dreary school day. The idea made them less than enthusiastic about giving up their seats.

Mdm.Lim struggled aboard the train with bags of groceries she had just bought from the market. Knowing that it was a school morning, she expected the usual half hour of standing in the carriage.

One of the teenagers, surprisingly fresh-faced, stood up.

"Auntie," he held her shoulders and guided her to his seat."You'll need this."

Mdm. Lim was a little taken aback by the sudden show of kindness. "It's okay young man," she pointed to the train map." I only have a few more stops to go."

"It's all right," the young teenager waved her off. " I don't need the seat. I have enough muscle already." He playfully pointed to his arms." Please take it and offer it to someone who needs it more than you do. Tell them to do the same thing."

Mdm. Lim settled down with her groceries. Perhaps young people these days weren't so bad after all.

Part 3

A pregnant lady, with two toddlers and a pram in tow, boards the train at the next stop. Mdm.Lim quickly glanced at the train map. The train only had to pass two stations before reaching her destination.

She got up and touched the pregnant lady's shoulder."Sit," she offered her seat, albeit a little assertively."The children are probably tired."

"It's okay," The lady looked a little embarrassed, and gave her a quick glance."We can stand for a little while."

Mdm. Lim was rather insistent. "Take the seat," remembering what the young teenager had said, she continued, "but if you see someone who needs it more than you do, give it to them."

She promptly got off when the train finally brought her to her stop. 

Part 4

Mdm. Lim didn't realize the domino effect that giving up that seat had created.

Perhaps it was kindness. Perhaps it was a guilt trip. Either way, passengers on board the train had been eyeing her since the teenager had made way for her to sit. These folks paid it forward, allowing those who needed to rest their legs their seats. Even the usually tacit teens with plugged-in earphones didn't darken their faces when their seats were called for. Not even before school. 

The carriage, which typically transported the same passengers, developed a go-to vibe, with new passengers wanting to board it.

Mdm. Lim herself boarded the train one day and was a little confused when everyone smiled at her presence.

"Huh," Mdm. Lim, a little nonplussed, scratched her head. "What's the occasion today?"

The same teenager, who had given up his seat for her gave her a little nudge. " I guess we are mini celebrities. Everyone wants to sit in this carriage."

Mdm. Lim grinned, settled in her seat with her groceries, and gazed at the passing trees.