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- Story Listed as: True Life For Adults
- Theme: Inspirational
- Subject: Miracles / Wonders
- Published: 04/23/2024
The Unexpected Kindness
Born 1989, F, from Patiala, IndiaThe Unexpected Kindness
A few days back, I decided to take my son Yuvaan and my sister out for a meal to Sahni bakery, a dainty little restaurant of which we had heard good things. We settled into our seats, and all of us started perusing the menu with zest to decide what to order. Our brooding was broken by a thin old man with his legs bent sideways. He was struggling with a mop and shuffling past our table. I noticed that he had some problem with his eyes as those were watery.
My heart went out to him as he hunched over, struggling with his work despite his advanced age. I asked my son to give him some money as a kind gesture. My sister knows my habit with old people. I cannot see them working. She giggled and said what if you were a billionaire, you would have given in abundance to the old people.
Agreeing to her with a smile, I was rummaging through my purse for a hundred rupee note, the old man disappeared from sight. I made a mental note that if we ever met again, I would return the money. Our attention turned back to the menu, and we placed our orders. While my sister and I ordered the main courses, my son ordered a TRIO PASTRY for Rs. 100, which he had with great relish.
After we had eaten enough along with the chit -chatting , I called for the bill so that we would leave home. Since I am a bit forgetful about the payment of bills, I checked on the total and gave exactly the amount written on the bill. We exited the restaurant then to the parking area.
To my utter surprise, it was the same old man with a tired eye, now shimmering and gleaming. I handed over the hundred rupees to my son, who readily handed over the money to the old man. He thanked us much, sincerity oozing from his heart and touching ours.
Reached home and relaxed a bit, I searched my purse and found the restaurant bill crumpled inside. Ironing out the wrinkles, an idea hit me like an electric shock that this bill did not include the TRIO PASTRY for Rs. 100. I was stunned.
Suddenly, one fact dawned on me: that at times the universe pays back in totally unexpected ways.
The lesson that I learned from this old man, despite my having forgotten to pay the bill, is that small favours are all interrelated and life evens out, yet mysteriously. It reminded me that, truly, the value of giving is not in what we are going to get in return but in its warmth upon our hearts and the difference it makes around us.
Talwinder Kaur
The Unexpected Kindness(Talwinder kaur)
The Unexpected Kindness
A few days back, I decided to take my son Yuvaan and my sister out for a meal to Sahni bakery, a dainty little restaurant of which we had heard good things. We settled into our seats, and all of us started perusing the menu with zest to decide what to order. Our brooding was broken by a thin old man with his legs bent sideways. He was struggling with a mop and shuffling past our table. I noticed that he had some problem with his eyes as those were watery.
My heart went out to him as he hunched over, struggling with his work despite his advanced age. I asked my son to give him some money as a kind gesture. My sister knows my habit with old people. I cannot see them working. She giggled and said what if you were a billionaire, you would have given in abundance to the old people.
Agreeing to her with a smile, I was rummaging through my purse for a hundred rupee note, the old man disappeared from sight. I made a mental note that if we ever met again, I would return the money. Our attention turned back to the menu, and we placed our orders. While my sister and I ordered the main courses, my son ordered a TRIO PASTRY for Rs. 100, which he had with great relish.
After we had eaten enough along with the chit -chatting , I called for the bill so that we would leave home. Since I am a bit forgetful about the payment of bills, I checked on the total and gave exactly the amount written on the bill. We exited the restaurant then to the parking area.
To my utter surprise, it was the same old man with a tired eye, now shimmering and gleaming. I handed over the hundred rupees to my son, who readily handed over the money to the old man. He thanked us much, sincerity oozing from his heart and touching ours.
Reached home and relaxed a bit, I searched my purse and found the restaurant bill crumpled inside. Ironing out the wrinkles, an idea hit me like an electric shock that this bill did not include the TRIO PASTRY for Rs. 100. I was stunned.
Suddenly, one fact dawned on me: that at times the universe pays back in totally unexpected ways.
The lesson that I learned from this old man, despite my having forgotten to pay the bill, is that small favours are all interrelated and life evens out, yet mysteriously. It reminded me that, truly, the value of giving is not in what we are going to get in return but in its warmth upon our hearts and the difference it makes around us.
Talwinder Kaur
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Nishu
07/12/2024*teaches to be kind
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Mamta
05/20/2024I wish the World was like this only. It would much more peaceful to live in such a beautiful surroundings.
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
Lillian Kazmierczak
04/29/2024What a wonderfully inspirational story! The universe needs more kindness! You are teaching your son a wonderful thing as you lead by example. A heartwarming short story star of the day!
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
Shirley Smothers
04/29/2024Beautiful! Kind and heart warming story. We sometimes forget to be kind to others. Your story reminds us a little kindness goes a long way. Congratulations on Short Story Star of the Day.
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
Barry
04/29/2024A very well-written story with an inspiring message. I would particularly like it if you had expanded the story with even more detail and expository/descriptive prose. You have a very nice/engaging style of writing.
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
Barry
04/30/2024One more bit of advice - when you expand the story, do it very slowly (i.e. take your time and do not hurry). There is an approach to writing that dates back to the 1960's called 'the accretion of small detail method', where you add tiny but significant details in order to flesh out a plot and create almost a 3-dimensional quality to the prose. It gives the writing greater depth and richness over and above what you have already done.
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Talwinder kaur
04/29/2024Will definitely do it. I will write an expanded version of this story too.
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Valerie Allen
04/29/2024It was refreshing to read a story about kindness and goodness in our world. If every person did one kind deed each day, what a wonderful world we would live in! Thanks for this thought provoking story ~
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
Gerald R Gioglio
04/29/2024Divya, Thanks for relating this tale. I remember such kindness and reciprocity "The Law of Circulation." Happy Storystar Day.
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
Cheryl Ryan
04/29/2024What goes around comes around. It pays to be good.
Thank you for sharing!
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Joel Kiula
04/23/2024Amazing read. This has taught me a avery good lesson. The universe has a way of balancing things out,just be present and be kind and help others.
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COMMENTS (12)