Stories of Kindness from Around the World

A 10-Year Old Teacher Tips Us in Life


--by tressyanne, posted Jun 12, 2009

In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him.  "Miss, how much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked.  "Fifty cents," replied the waitress.  The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it. 

"Okay then, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he inquired.  By now, more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient.  "Thirty-five cents," she brusquely replied.  The little boy again counted his coins.  "I'll have the plain ice cream," he said.

The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table, and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier, and left.

When the waitress came back to that table, she began to cry as she wiped it with the wash cloth. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish with vanilla ice cream swirled around the edges, were two nickels and five pennies...

You see, the little boy couldn't have the sundae, because he wanted to secure enough coins to leave her a tip. That was a tip to her and here's a tip for you: remember those who serve you even if they don't remember you because it just might help remind them of their own value as a server.

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Readers Comments

Modestobob wrote: Tressy, I sighed when I read this. Each of my children have been servers at one time or another and truly live off their tips. Great story. Thanks Tressy! :) ~ModestoBob~
JuneBug wrote: I have been a server before...My kids saw how exhausted I was and tend to know how to tip the waitress/waiters..Good story! :)
bhappy wrote: Thanks for the wonderful post Tressy.. I hope your having a wonderful day. Becki
cabbage wrote: Oh......that is soooooo sweet. What a great story. It is often those who have little who give the most, isn't it? (Same for tippers)
LOAS wrote: Beautiful story. Thank you for sharing it. :)
Loas
angelwingz wrote: Thanks for reminding us.

I often wonder why. We are made as we are,call it upbringing. Values. Etc. I see the lady in expensive clothing,jewellery. Bla. Ignoring the collectiontin. Even. Making a very spiteful comment to the person giving its time to colect money for animals. Or people in need. Then. I see the lil` old lady. In cothing that has seen better days. Her only jewellery she is wearing is her golden heart. She stops has a smile and encouraging words for the colector. And gives fifty pence. A lot to her. Whenever iam out there. Collecting. Raising funds. I encounter this too often. Some call it keeping the ballance. I just call it.

Kindness. Too often forgotten.
mazi Okey wrote: As i was reading this story, i knew i wont just read it and flip over because it touches my area of assignment. I agree with what cabbage said.

I have also been moved after hearing much about service, which by implication is giving your time, your resources, your life just mention it, but it paid off becos mecedonian services comes with it supernatural supplies.

To my surprise i have seen that those who have much give little. Is truly those who dont have enough that gives the much. May be you and i can agree that the widows mite also came of those people who tried to fix it out one way, who dont have enough.


Tressy i comend your god given wisdom, showcase it girl.
Kiran wrote: What a beautiful heart this child has! Kids indeed teach us a lot on sharing and putting service as the top most priority in life.
Ryan wrote: So she started to cry? That waitress is either severely overworked or has emotional problems.
david wrote: I agree with ryan. The kid had a great time, was considerate of others and had a bowl of icecream. I fail to see the problem here. Maybe it was her kid and she was overwhelmed with pride?

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