While stories of grand acts of generosity always capture our imaginations, in truth it’s the millions upon millions of small acts of kindness that hold humanity together. Whether it’s holding a door open for someone struggling with shopping bags or simply allowing a frazzled mom to go ahead of you at the checkout counter, every small act of kindness makes a difference. And sometimes even small gestures can change someone’s life. Some even believe that every person who’d done something horrific was just one small act of kindness away at some point in their lives from turning everything around. In this story, a woman sees a small child in need and decides to treat him with kindness, only to encounter that same boy years later during her hour of need.
One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry. He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door.
Instead of a meal, he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it so slowly, and then asked, How much do I owe you?”
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You don’t owe me anything,” she replied. “Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness.”
He said … “Then I thank you from my heart.”
Many years later that same young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease.
Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes.
Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room.
Dressed in his doctor’s gown he went in to see her. He recognized her at once.
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He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to her case.
After a long struggle, the battle was won.
Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally, she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. She read these words …
“Paid in full with one glass of milk”
(Signed) Dr. Howard Kelly.
Source:
- “Little Boy Who Never Forgot Small Kindness Woman Did For Him — Years Later Repays Her With Interest” Blissful Slot.
