SLOVENIA'S 5 CORE VALUES

When I asked her if she would like to participate in the production of stories as part of the 5 Core Values of Slovenia project, she was happy to tell me about the next event:

»Once upon a time, a small but very meaningful event happened in our local shop. I was there, as usual, buying food and other things for the home. As I was walking through the shelves, I came to the bread section where a mother and her daughter were standing. The little girl was about five or six years old and the mother was somewhere between thirty-five and forty.

As it is a self-service section, I was also planning to take bread. I noticed that the little girl wanted a cheesecake, but her mother calmly but firmly told her that they would not take it, but would choose the buns instead. They took some more bread. I thought how nice it would be to fulfil this little wish for the child, but I did not bother with it for long and I continued shopping.

Later, I got to the checkout and the mum and the little girl were just ahead of me in the queue. When the shop assistant told me how much the purchase was, the mum looked worried and said she didn't have enough money. I could tell from her voice and the whole situation that it is not easy for them and that they often face shortages. It was not a large amount, but it was clearly too much for them. Mum found herself in a quandary. She said she would give two of the four buns back.

I then turned up and told the shop assistant that I would pay the difference. I added a euro or two - whatever it took. Mummy and the little girl didn't react particularly well. Mummy was very quiet, almost cold. She quickly put things away and left the shop without saying a word.

I have to admit that I was a bit surprised at first, as I didn't get a thank you or a look. But I soon thought that she must have been very ashamed and at that moment she was not able to process what was happening at all.

The shop assistant didn't say anything either, and there was an uncomfortable silence in the air. I paid the amount of my purchase and went on my way. Despite everything, I felt good, knowing that I had made things easier for my mother and daughter, if only for a moment. And my heart was at peace.

Andreja Bakšič Grozdina, 4. 1. 2026