A Worn Path

When I first read this story, I had no idea why we were studying it. Maybe it's because I speed-read it before class (hey, at least I read it), but it didn't jump out at me. I didn't really like it, nor did I like the odd ending, but it's not the worst story I've ever read I suppose.
Anyway, basically the story is about an elderly black woman, named Phoenix Jackson, who travels into town to get some medicine for her grandson. She crosses a creek, goes through some trees, and encounters a man along the way. The thing that annoyed me the most was that everyone kept referring to her as "Grandma". Isn't that some kind of an insult? If that were me I'd reply with a "I'm not your grandma, buddy" followed by a swift kick in the shin. Either way, the man doesn't treat Phoenix very well. She uses the dog he has with him as a distraction, and then she picks up the nickel he dropped. He responds by pointing his gun in her face, which is pretty brutal considering it's just a nickel. Here's where I give the old woman some credit, because she doesn't even react. Doesn't flinch one bit. I think if I were ever staring down the barrel of a gun, I'd just pee myself and cry. But seriously, it doesn't phase her. She's a lot braver than me. I guess that's because she's elderly, and throughout her life she's just gotten used to dealing with prejudice and racism.
In the end she gets to the hospital, and yet another person calls her Grandma. The first girl she talks to is kind of rude, but the second one is okay. She gives her another nickel and the medicine, and Phoenix is on her way.
Anyway, my noodle cup is ready and I'm tired of writing, so that's it.