As I cracked open my fortune cookie, I read such a vague fortune, “You will witness something that will give you great pleasure.”
What?
Why not say something like, “You will win a large amount of money today,” that would have made me much happier.
Without a thought, I just tossed the cliché fortune into the trash and went on with my day.
It had seemed like an ordinary day at work with customers flowing in and out of the store, people asking me for some assistance or checking out at the register. I typically see a great deal of people throughout my shift, so it becomes difficult to remember each customer, but that day I had a customer I’ll never forget.
It was a little boy, he could not have been older than 9 years old, who came up to my register and placed a single pair of Nike Elite socks onto the counter.
Now, if you’re unfamiliar with Nike Elite socks, they are, what I believe to be, very overpriced name brand socks that range from $14 to $22. But, they’re extremely popular in our fashion world, so why not spend the extra bucks to look trendy?
After the little boy placed the socks onto the counter, he began scrambling through his pockets to find his change. He was able to come up with a couple dollars, some quarters, a few dimes and a nickel. Unfortunately, I had to tell him it wasn’t enough for the socks.
The look on his face was disheartening. I could see all the disappointment in his face as all he wanted was this single pair of socks.
Even though it’s probably frowned upon at my workplace, I dug through my pockets to see if I could locate any spare change to help towards the cost, but I too fell short.
Usually when someone doesn’t have enough money, I just simply say “I’m sorry” and move on with my day, but this little boy gave me a different outlook.
For some unknown reason, I wanted him to really have these socks. I could see in his eyes that it was something that he was trying to save for and that he wanted to have them badly, only to fall short by a few bucks.
At this time, another customer came in line and could see what was happening.
The customer reached into her purse and pulled out $14, the entire cost for the little boy’s socks and said, “Put these socks onto my transaction.”
The little boy turned to her and without knowing what to say, gave her the biggest hug I’ve ever seen strangers give one another.
With a smile ear to ear, the little boy thanked the woman for his socks.
After they both left, I couldn’t help but think, “What a beautiful thing I just witnessed,” and it hit me—my fortune cookie was right.
I had witnessed something that gave me great pleasure. Watching someone do something for someone else without being asked or without being rewarded. It was such a kind and thoughtful act that made an impression on me.
I will never forget that special act of kindness and I know that little boy won’t either.
I encourage everyone to make an act of kindness today, even if it is something simple, I am sure it will make an impact on someone else.
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