I doubt the story's authenticity.  Seems like an attention grab.  It's pretty rare to see any kid randomly come in to contact with strangers when shopping (even onerous kids), let alone one exclaiming, "I harpooned a whale!" What really happened :  Whale is shopping for school supplies.  An item rack pokes her as she attempts to squeeze her flab through the narrow isles.  Fat bitch probably sent items crashing to the floor and got embarrassed.  However, that doesn't make a grand "pity me" story.