Over two decades ago, a forsaken child’s wail echoed outside an orphanage on a stormy night. The director, Ms. Evelyn, was immersed in her office, wrestling with the monthly accounts. The establishment had not received any charitable contributions for months, and the financial resources were depleting. Many nights, she contemplated the future of the orphanage, her only lifeline being the scant private savings accrued over the years.
As the cry magnified, she could not resist but investigate. No one was in sight, only a newborn girl wrapped in a hospital towel. Blue blotches started appearing on her tender skin, signs of hypothermia as the cold night steadily weakened her.
Ms. Evelyn cradled the infant, providing warmth from her embrace and the heat of a maternal heart. As she attentively watched the baby drift into a deep slumber, her eyes welled up uncontrollably.
The baby was mesmerizing even in sleep with her cherubic face, long, arched eyelashes, and delicate, enchanting lips. At first glance, Ms. Evelyn felt an intimate, familiar, and immense affection for the child. She spent the night vigilantly by her side, absorbed in thoughts of her as an indispensable part of her life.
Ms. Evelyn was born into a well-to-do family, but fate had consigned her to a solitary, childless, and spouseless existence. In her youth, she was a beautiful, intelligent woman pursued by many, yet none could stir her heart.
What’s more, she was tormented by losing her younger sister, which was entirely her fault. This led to her alienation from her family. At eighteen, she left home for the city to study and start a career, cutting off contact with her family, as the guilt of her past mistakes had gone deep, unhealable wounds. They did not abandon her; instead, she felt undeserving to return.
Living in a strange land with a lonely and injured heart, every sight of a child selling lottery tickets under the scorching sun or a child mistreated for being familyless evoked empathy within her. She pondered about her lost younger sister’s whereabouts and life quality; these emotions grew daily, urging her to comfort and aid the unfortunate.
From the moment she could sustain herself, she had begun to plan for her savings to build an orphanage to assist the forsaken, orphaned children. Each time the orphanage received a new member, her heart was a mix of sorrow and joy. Sorrow for another fragment of a life marred by misfortune but satisfaction knowing that henceforth, she could use her affection and protection to provide them a serene existence amidst a life full of worry and strife.
Observing the girl shivering on the bed due to the severe cold, clutching the quilt tightly, an immense wave of compassion overcame her. She pulled the blanket higher to shield the girl from the cold, adjusting the arm stretched haphazardly on the bed to a more comfortable position.
In the morning, upon waking up, Mary was surprised to find herself in a place she had never set foot in before. She could hear the lively, joyful chatter of children from outside. She gently pulled the curtain back to see a group of children cheerfully playing in the courtyard. It had been long since Mary had experienced the happiness and satisfaction she once knew.
Stepping outside, Mary was surprised when a ball, seemingly from nowhere, bumped into her leg. She picked it up, and a child, probably around five years old, approached her. His innocent face and the sweet, soft voice he spoke were endearing beyond measure.
“Are you just awake? Are you exhausted?”
Mary was astonished, wondering how the boy knew her.
She squatted down to meet the boy at his eye level, captivated by his innocence, and asked gently, “How do you know me?”
The boy’s innocent voice once again delighted her.
“Do you also live in the city? You dress elegantly like our big sister, but she hasn’t been here long.”
Mary was surprised at being described as resembling someone else, and her curiosity led her to inquire further.
“What does your older sister do?”
The boy didn’t say anything. He just shook his head vigorously.
While Mary did not know who the person the little boy was referring to was, she felt that women must be very fortunate to be loved by everyone. She, too, desired a peaceful, uncomplicated life cherished by many.
Mary stretched her arms, rotated her body from side to side, and closed her eyes to breathe deeply before exhaling gently. She repeated this process a few times until she was satisfied with the cool air.
As the sun rose higher, its rays penetrated the thin clouds and illuminated everything. Mary sat on a bamboo bench near an old tamarind tree, pondering where she would go in the days ahead.
Ms. Evelyn came close unnoticed until her voice interrupted Mary’s thoughts.
“What are you thinking about?”
Mary turned to her side, her gaze filled with myriad dilemmas. She wanted to know why she was here, where this place was, and who this woman was.
Ms. Evelyn provided her with an answer before Mary spoke.
“I’m the head of this orphanage; you may call me Ms. Evelyn. Last night, upon returning from the city, I fortuitously found you unconscious on the roadside and brought you here. I checked on you in your room this morning but found it empty. After inquiring, I learned you were here.”
Mary, having grasped the situation, began to express her gratitude. However, Ms. Evelyn brushed it off, gesturing it was unnecessary. She was delighted to chat and inquire about every aspect of the young girl’s life.
When Ms. Evelyn asked Mary’s hometown why she had come to the city and fainted on the street late at night, Mary couldn’t hold back her tears. She was at a loss for words regarding her current predicament.
Seeing she had unwittingly touched a raw nerve, Ms. Evelyn quickly apologized and tried to reassure the troubled girl. A moment later, she spoke in a calm and gentle voice.
“If you have nowhere else to go, you can stay here until you find a suitable place. It’s just me and the children here; no one will bother you. You can stay as long as you need.”
The benevolent smile on the older adult’s face reminded Mary of her mother. Not long ago, she had a family, a mother, a home to return to, but now all was lost. She wondered why happy days pass swiftly while sorrowful ones linger interminably.
Although this orphanage wasn’t as large or convenient as the place she once lived, in her most lonely and helpless moments, having somewhere to seek shelter was the most outstanding comfort one could ask for.