Gemotions

The sunlight glinted off the haphazard display of castoffs, but her focus was solely on the teddy bear. It was a sorry sight, its stuffing protruding from a ripped seam, its once-bright eyes clouded with dust. It evoked a profound sense of sadness within her, a feeling of empathy that seemed to emanate from her very core.

“How much for the bear, dear?” she asked the young woman, who seemed utterly oblivious to the teddy's plight.

“A quarter,” came the clipped reply.

She handed over a dollar, and said softly, “Keep the change.”