Stories of Kindness from Around the World

As I turned off the highway onto the ramp to go home, I encountered a little old man on the side of the road.  His sign read, "Stranded, need ride to get to friend."  He had a bag, a cane and the clothes on his back.

I turned my car to the right, the traffic horrific, no one letting me turn around.  So I went around the block and pulled a u-turn so that I could drive by this little man to offer him help.  A s I got turned, he had already begun walking up the road towards me.  It was like he knew what I was doing.  I stopped beside him and asked him what he was doing.

He responded, "Well pretty lady, I am trying to get to my friend who is dying.  We have been friends for almost 50 years and now he lay dying -- I want to be with him.  I have no money, I am hungry and I'm very hot from the sun."  I immediately gave him my bottle of cold water that I had not yet opened. It was scorching outside and he was burnt and sweaty.  I offered to get him food and some snacks for travel and he offered me his gratitude.

I got him some food, a 6 pack of water and a plastic cooler bag to put everything in.  I then went to hand him $20.00 and told him I was sorry, this was all the money I had. He reached his hand out to me and shook my hand.  Then he placed the $20.00 back into my hand.  I looked so surprised, I know I did.  I couldn't figure out what was going on.

He told me, "You've been so kind little princess, and I cannot take your last $20.00. But I thank you and I hope you always have all that you need."  I began to cry and he touched my hand and I cried even harder.  He told me not to cry.  I had been so kind and he was ok.  I begged him to please take the money, it will make me feel so much better.  He finally took the money and he offered me his walking stick.  Gosh, my heart was just on fire.  "What is going on here?" I thought.

I got out of my car, went over to him (of course I was hesitant to touch him, he was so dirty), but I went ahead and hugged him.  I felt so warm and at peace.  The little old man finally took my money and sobbed as I drove away and he walked on.  If he only knew that although I stopped to help him, he had given me the greatest gift ever.  I will never forget him and often wonder if he made it to his best friend.  What a love.  What a blessing. They are so often disguised.  I know I received one that day and didn't even know that stop was really for me.