Stories of Kindness from Around the World

My wife and I took an unscripted vacation to Carmel. On the way, we stopped at a Chinese restaurant for dinner. The food was great, but there was too much of it. We decided to get it packed and find a homeless person to give it to.

After dinner, my wife went into World Market which was in the same mall, while I walked around scouting for homeless people. Walking up and down, I couldn't spot a single homeless person. Then, I prayed that a hungry person may receive the food in my hand.

As my mind calmed down, it occurred to me that the folks at the check-out counter might appreciate a dinner. I went in and asked my wife to check if the person at the counter was hungry. Then, I walked away. I saw her talking but not asking me to come over to give the food. So I went again to check, and found she had been too embarassed to ask - so she was taking directions to the homeless shelter.

I looked at the clerk's eyes, too embarassed myself to ask if she would take the dinner. She looked at me and said, "Yes, the shelter is nearby." And then, taking her eyes slightly away, she said, "Or, if you like, you can leave the dinner for our staff."

With an action that came close to jumping on the counter, I placed the food in front of her with a big grin and said, "It is yours!" And my wife, with a huge grin, explained what was in it. We both thanked her profusely for accepting the food.

As I turned for one more look, I saw a smile of gratitude. My wife and I reflected on what had happened, and we both were aware of a huge gratitude - the universe had blessed our act of kindness by giving us a recipient.