A Chance Encounter: Helping a Lost German Lady Find Her Way

One morning this summer holiday, I was running on the road when I saw an elderly foreign lady waving her phone at me. She was speaking in a foreign language, clearly not English. Listening closer, I realized it was German. She was lost and trying to find her way home, showing me screenshots of maps on her phone.

Although I had started learning German, my skills were basic. I knew my classmate Lisa was fluent, so I called her. 'Hi, Lisa. I came across a German lady. Do you have time to come and act as a translator?' I asked, sending her my location. Unfortunately, Lisa was shopping and could only reach me in 30 minutes.

Suddenly, an idea struck me. I downloaded a translation app and used the voice function to understand the lady. I learned she was visiting her daughter, who was new to the city. Using the app, we determined her daughter's address, which wasn't far. I offered to walk her there.

She was incredibly grateful, apologizing for taking up my time. When we arrived, her daughter had just returned and was touched by my kindness. I assured her it was no trouble at all.

Walking with the lady was more rewarding than running alone. Despite relying on technology to bridge the language barrier, I felt lucky to have helped. Leaving them, I couldn't wait to share the experience with Lisa.

This encounter taught me the importance of compassion and the power of communication. It reminded me that every interaction, however brief, has the potential for positive impact. As I continued my run, I felt grateful for the unexpected encounter and the valuable lesson it taught me.