One day a man was asked to paint a boat by an owner of boat. He brought with him paint and brushes and began to paint the boat a bright red, as the owner asked him*.
While painting, he realized there was a hole in the hull and decided to repair it.
When finished painting, he received his money and left.
The next day, the owner of the boat came to the painter and presented him with a nice check, much higher than the payment for painting.
The painter was surprised:
- You've already paid me for painting the boat!
- he said.
- But this is not for the paint job.
It's for having repaired the hole in the boat.
- Ah! But it was such a small service, certainly it's not worth paying me such a high amount for something so insignificant!
My dear friend, you do not understand. Let me tell you what happened.
When I asked you to paint the boat, I forgot to mention about the hole.
When the boat dried, my kids took the boat and went on a fishing trip.
They did not know that there was a hole.
I was not at home at that time.
When I returned and noticed they had taken the boat, I was desperate because I remembered that the boat had a hole.
Imagine my relief and joy when I saw them returning from fishing.
Then, I examined the boat and found that you had repaired the hole! You see, now, what you did?* You saved the life of my children! I do not have enough money to pay your "small" good deed.
Moral of the story:
So, no matter who, when or how. Just continue to help, sustain, wipe tears, listen attentively and carefully repair all the "leaks" you find, because you never know when one is in need of us or when God holds a pleasant surprise for us to be helpful and important to someone.
While painting, he realized there was a hole in the hull and decided to repair it.
When finished painting, he received his money and left.
The next day, the owner of the boat came to the painter and presented him with a nice check, much higher than the payment for painting.
The painter was surprised:
- You've already paid me for painting the boat!
- he said.
- But this is not for the paint job.
It's for having repaired the hole in the boat.
- Ah! But it was such a small service, certainly it's not worth paying me such a high amount for something so insignificant!
My dear friend, you do not understand. Let me tell you what happened.
When I asked you to paint the boat, I forgot to mention about the hole.
When the boat dried, my kids took the boat and went on a fishing trip.
They did not know that there was a hole.
I was not at home at that time.
When I returned and noticed they had taken the boat, I was desperate because I remembered that the boat had a hole.
Imagine my relief and joy when I saw them returning from fishing.
Then, I examined the boat and found that you had repaired the hole! You see, now, what you did?* You saved the life of my children! I do not have enough money to pay your "small" good deed.
Moral of the story:
So, no matter who, when or how. Just continue to help, sustain, wipe tears, listen attentively and carefully repair all the "leaks" you find, because you never know when one is in need of us or when God holds a pleasant surprise for us to be helpful and important to someone.
21.2K Reads
- Posted by BlissForgive
- Aug 10, 2017
- Comments (13)
Readers Comments
Ron FreemanI wrote: I just wanted to share with you that in 2011 i was informed that i had throat cancer
I ended up beating it then found out my wife had been cheating on me while ibwas fighting cancer. We divorced then in 2018 i had pneumonia and after the hospital stay had to go to a nursing home. I ended up meeting my current wife who haas shown my more love and care the i ever knew a person could. I have had my 3rd
4th & 5th heart attack while with her. More pneumonia( due to copd) and raising
Our 3 yr old daughter and my other kids. Im 53 and injoying life more and more
I ended up beating it then found out my wife had been cheating on me while ibwas fighting cancer. We divorced then in 2018 i had pneumonia and after the hospital stay had to go to a nursing home. I ended up meeting my current wife who haas shown my more love and care the i ever knew a person could. I have had my 3rd
4th & 5th heart attack while with her. More pneumonia( due to copd) and raising
Our 3 yr old daughter and my other kids. Im 53 and injoying life more and more
Bukulu brian wrote: What an inspection story
Astory worth to share with friends
Astory worth to share with friends
LINDA Lee wrote: Very good story, service with care, thoughtfulness, kindness, and compassion. A small deed that saved lives. Priceless!
Something i will remember and share with my family and friends.
Thank you for sharing william. God bless.
Something i will remember and share with my family and friends.
Thank you for sharing william. God bless.
Basit wrote: Such a good story, it is realy inspiratinal
Rajni wrote: Little kindness of repairing a hole saved lives.
This story makes me think of the "holes" in our lives. Do we bother to find them and repair them for good?
I am not trying to find negativity in others but as an act of kindness give them an opportunity to look within and repair the hole if it is found.
We may have a hole of taking it for granted. We are supposed to repair this hole by thanking people from the bottom of our heart and reward them when necessary.
Ignorance is the biggest hole that drains our life. Living in the moment with awareness is necessary to repair this hole. Just passing by someone lying by the roadside in dire need and may die. Isn't our ignorance and ourselves are responsible for that person's death that we may have been saved with giving just a bottle of water and some food or make arrangement to send to hospital if injured?
There can be many holes in our life. Thanks for this thought provoking and giving us nice lesson.
This story makes me think of the "holes" in our lives. Do we bother to find them and repair them for good?
I am not trying to find negativity in others but as an act of kindness give them an opportunity to look within and repair the hole if it is found.
We may have a hole of taking it for granted. We are supposed to repair this hole by thanking people from the bottom of our heart and reward them when necessary.
Ignorance is the biggest hole that drains our life. Living in the moment with awareness is necessary to repair this hole. Just passing by someone lying by the roadside in dire need and may die. Isn't our ignorance and ourselves are responsible for that person's death that we may have been saved with giving just a bottle of water and some food or make arrangement to send to hospital if injured?
There can be many holes in our life. Thanks for this thought provoking and giving us nice lesson.
Neadimc wrote: Fantastic short story about doing the right thing and going about it humbly. Which is what the boat painter did. I suppose it is about paying attention to the most relevant details in life because no matter how fabulous the boat looked after its paint job, it was only fit for purpose if it was seaworthy. There is a bit about recognition there also but attention is what is jumping out at me this morning. Glad to have read it. 😀
ado wrote: This is so touching because i know a lot of people who would balk at the idea of touching the boat given that the only job is to paint it. They would say stay away from the boat it is not yours don't touch it. I am thinking of the times when i wanted to repair something when i wasn't asked and people close to me would reprimand me for "sticking my nose in other peoples' business".
Very nice story.
Very nice story.
littlegirdie wrote: Your message hits close to home, and heart. A beautiful story on mending a family far greater than ones kindness could ever imagine.
Marian andeweg wrote: I love this story. I try to live by it but sometimes am just too busy with my own life. Thanks for the wonderful reminder!
MadronaMan wrote: Love this! Though you had me at the first mention of a boat!
