It was the Greek shopkeeper in a small corner shop in London. She taught me about the disarming power of an act of kindness, which has motivated me to give.
I was a student, single and very poor. I would work early mornings and late nights to pay for my studies, and I was tired– really tired– all the time.
On the day I went to that shop for the first time, I was sick with a virus and a very high fever. I had been off work for a few days, and I had run out of food. Because I had been working so hard since I had moved to town, I also had no friends nearby who could help.
So I ventured out to get some food. Normally, I would have gone to the supermarket, but on this occasion, I went into the Greek shop because it was closer.
I picked up a few items, from the looks of which revealed the fact that I lived alone. Then I handed them to the shopkeeper, who told me, "You are unwell."
I nodded rather timidly.
She pointed at the salami and bread I was buying and offered, "I can make you a sandwich, so you don't have to do it yourself".
I nodded, rather timidly, again.
So, she made the sandwich and asked me to wait a moment. She went in the back room and reappeared with a container of hot soup.
"It will warm you up," she said with a broad, genuine smile.
What really warmed me up, though, was not the soup. It was her smile that told me she cared. Her kindness made me feel cared for at a point in life when I was particularly lonely.
And it inspired me.
It made me want to be as kind as the shopkeeper who had been kind to me. I had been quite shy, but, from that day on, I did not let shyness prevent me from performing random acts of kindness.
I was determined to spread the joy ...and I haven't felt lonely since! :)
- Posted by SimplySim
- Jan 8, 2013
- Comments (36)
Readers Comments
Thank you for sharing and for allowing this story to make you who you are today.
