The Plumber

"I'm sorry, sir. There's no cash assistance left for you. Maybe you can comeback for tomorrow", the staff said. 

The poor father, wearing a torn facemask choses to leave. He sat sadly on the big rock. A tear drop stains his cheek, realizing that he can't be able to buy food for his family again. The father tries to count on his fingers the days when he started to wait early with their local government just for the cash assistance. It's been a week since the first day. He frowned sadly and tries to fix himself.

He was starting to walk when the staff suddenly called him. "Wait, sir! I have something for you", said the staff while chasing him. 

"What's that, sir?" the father asked. 

He handed him a kilo of rice. "That's for you, sir. That's all I can give you", the staff said shyly. 

The father was a little happy as he receives the rice. "What's your work, sir?" the staff asked him. 

The father sighed deeply as he began to speak. "I am just a plumber, sir. I can't do my job now because of this pandemic. I feel like I'm helpless so I tried to come here to get a little help but I failed", he said sadly. 

"You already have a family, sir? How much salary do you get from working?" the man asked again. 

The father nodded. "I already have a beautiful wife and three beautiful children, sir. My salary is only $12 and we can afford it in a month. We have our own house so the salary only goes to the food budget and to my children's education", he said. 

"Wow. Your family is very lucky to have you, sir. I hope I will be like you one day. I idolize you, sir", the staff said as he pat the father's shoulder. 

"Don't idolize me, sir. I'm doing this because this is what I am supposed to do and I think it is normal as you decided to create your own family", replied the father. 

At that moment, the staff was impressed by the father’s dedication and love for his family. He thought that these kind of person deserves more help and kindness from others.

"In God's perfect time, you will be blessed more, sir. Always remember that you're doing very good for your family and they shoud be proud of you. You're a role model for me, sir. May God guides you everyday. I will pray for you", said the staff.

The father smiled widely. "Thank you, sir. I am looking forward for your deeds as a father. You will be a good family man. I won't forget you. Thank you for this again, sir", father replied.

"I hope I can make you and your family happy because of what I gave you, sir. I'm going back to my work. See you around", the staff said as he ran back to the office.

The father's joy quickly faded as he walked alone on his way home carrying the kilo of rice. He thinks he is now a worthless father because even delicious food, he can not afford to give for his family.

It was afternoon when he arrived at their house. His youngest daughter immediately greeted him with a kiss, asking "Father, did you bring food?" 

The father just nodded and tried to smile. He glanced at his wife and handed her the food. His wife happily went to the kitchen with the rice.

Later on, the wife called her three children and her husband for dinner. They sat in front of the table except for the father. He stared sadly at his children.

The youngest daughter noticed her father's sadness so she turned to him and said, "Father, this porridge is delicious because mother cooked it for us. Are you sad because you don't want this?"

After hearing those words, the father started to drop his tears. "I'm sorry if I'm only feeding you this porridge right now. Because of this pandemic, my task to provide the right food you need to eat is not being fulfilled. S-Sorry", he cried.

His whole family hugged him tightly. "Don't worry, my husband. Better days are on its way. Let's trust His process. Don't be sad that this is the only thing you can feed us because I can't cook it if not for your sacrifice and patience. Smile 'cause we are all in this together and even our food for everyday is just this porridge, as long as you're with us, it won't matter", said his wife.

A smile was drawn again on the father's lips as he hugged his children and his wife tightly, visualizing his dreams for them.

The next day, they were all surprised to see a truck of grocery packages in front of their house. The driver was the staff that the father spoke to yesterday.

"Goodmorning, sir. I have something for you again. This is for all of you", the staff said with a smile.

The father bowed his head and forced himself not to cry but he did not succeed. His eyes were full of tears because of the joy he felt.

"T-Thank you, sir! Thank you very much. I don't know what to say. I didn't expect all of these. Thank you so much, sir", he said gratefully while wiping his tears.

The staff got out of the truck and approached the family. He was wearing a facemask and protective gears. "I was touched by your story, sir. Even though I don't know you very well, I felt your hard work and effort just to provide for your family. And those grocery packages were contributed by the staffs and other local politicians in our office, sir", he said.

The father seemed confused. "Why are you doing this?" he asked.

The staff smiled at them and began to speak. "I understand you because my father was once a plumber too, sir. And I am just simply standing here to fulfill your task for your family", the staff uttered genuinely.