MANGALURU: A simple hospital visit turned unexpectedly heartwarming when a 70-year-old flower seller walked into the outpatient department of KMC Hospital to consult senior cardiologist Dr P. Kamath. What caught his attention were the two things she carried: a sling supporting her injured shoulder and a cloth bag brimming with fresh spinach leaves plucked from her small home garden. What followed became a moment that stayed with the doctor long after the brief consultation ended.
A quiet gesture that spoke volumes
The elderly woman, who earns her living selling flowers at local markets, had travelled alone to Mangaluru’s KMC Hospital despite her painful shoulder injury. Dr Kamath noticed immediately that she appeared physically strained, yet she offered him a warm smile before settling into the chair opposite him.
She explained her health issues with modest hesitation, worried that she might take up too much of the doctor’s time. After examining her shoulder and reviewing her cardiac concerns, Dr Kamath reassured her and prescribed the appropriate treatment.
Just as she was preparing to leave, she reached into her cloth bag and placed a bunch of neatly washed spinach leaves on the doctor’s desk. She told him that the greens were from her tiny garden patch and that she had brought them as a token of gratitude. The doctor later said the small gesture moved him far more than any expensive offering ever could.
A reminder of human warmth in healthcare
For Dr Kamath, who sees dozens of patients daily, the interaction stood out. He described how the woman insisted that he accept the greens, saying it was her way of thanking him for patiently listening to her health concerns.
Doctors often speak about the emotional fatigue associated with their profession, especially when faced with rushed schedules or patients in distress. Moments like these, he said, remind healthcare workers of the deeper human connection that underpins their work.
He later shared the experience with colleagues, calling it “one of those rare interactions that stay with you for years, not because of the medical challenge but because of the human kindness attached to it.”
A glimpse into her life
The woman lives alone in a modest house on the outskirts of Mangaluru. With limited income and no family members to accompany her, she continues to rely on her flower business for survival. Her home garden — a patch of soil where she grows spinach, chillies and a few medicinal herbs — is her solace.
Despite her struggles, she remains known in her locality for her generosity. Neighbours recall how she often shares vegetables from her garden with children in the area and occasionally hands out extra flower garlands to elderly devotees visiting nearby temples.
Her decision to gift spinach leaves to her doctor stemmed from a simple belief: gratitude must always be expressed, no matter one’s circumstances.
A moment that resonated online
Staff members who witnessed the exchange said it was a reminder of how deeply patients value empathy. The story quietly circulated on social media after a colleague narrated it, drawing appreciation from users who felt the anecdote symbolised the bond between doctors and their communities.
Many commented that such gestures reflect the dignity and warmth of people who have very little yet give from the heart. Others noted that the story served as a reminder for healthcare professionals about the emotional impact of their sensitivity and patience.
A conclusion shaped by kindness
In a world where hospital corridors often echo with anxiety, grief and exhaustion, this brief encounter between a cardiologist and an elderly flower seller stood out as a gentle reminder of humanity’s softer edges.
For Dr Kamath, the humble offering of spinach leaves carried more meaning than any formal token of appreciation. And for the woman, it was her way of saying that kindness given to her was kindness she wanted to return — even if in the modest form of vegetables grown with her own hands.