i don't do these kind of shots but if i had to, i'd put a person in to reinforce the point. a child's hand, children in the bg, etc.
Or to push the envelop, i'd replace the kid with an elderly.
maybe even both of them together. but that's not my style.
perhaps what you're looking for is a way to present a human nature without the presence of an actual human? good luck on that, it's beyond me for the moment.