As we move from day-to-day, we have many different choices to make. Some of those choices are going to be a ‘no-brainer’ and others are going to require a little forethought. For example, how much thought did you give to the shirt the you are wearing today? More than likely, it was just a passing thought but when it comes to dealing with people on an individual basis, we often give a lot of thought and it is a good idea to show some kindness. That kindness can pay off for the short term but it may also pay often ways that we may never even understand. That is illustrated beautifully in the following fictional story.
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 slowly, and then asked, “How much do I owe you?”
“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 the bottom of my heart.”
As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in humanity had been restored as well. He had been ready to give up and quit.
Year’s later that kind 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.
And, against all odds, that doctor was named Dr. Howard Kelly ! He 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 room. Dressed in his doctor’s gown he went in to see her. He recognized her at once. He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to the 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. After all, she was relatively poor. After much consideration, she looked at the bill, 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.
