Stories of Kindness from Around the World

The Most Beautiful Gesture I've Seen At a Coffee Shop


--by Brain D. Bailey, posted Mar 20, 2014
I was in a shopping mall recently, so I decided to go and get a cup of tea. As I was making my way to the coffee shop, I noticed an older gentleman rather poorly dressed sitting on a bench nearby. I knew from first sight that he was in need of some kind of help. He had a little lunch stretched out in front of him and was wholeheartedly enjoying it. It was also rather evident that he had a problem with his right eye and probably couldn't see out of it. I then joined the line and waited to be served. 

Then it happened. One of the most beautiful gestures I have ever seen in my life.

There was a young man in front of me in the line who was also waiting to be served. Next thing I know the young man hands the server a twenty dollar bill and requests an orange juice, as well as a favour. The server looks at the young man a little perplexed, not fully comprehending the request. That's when the young man asks her to give the juice to the older gentleman eating his lunch outside on the bench, as well as the change from the (except for which is her tip). The young man also tells her that he will be watching every second so that she will be completely safe at all times. Subsequently, there is a wonderful exchange between the server and the older man in need of some attention. I only wish I had a photo of the smiles on the both of their faces. 

As I was pondering this event later on, I wondered to myself why the young man didn't just perform this act of kindness himself. I suspect that deep down in his heart he was hoping that this act of kindness might inspire others to do something for this older man as well. Absolutely beautiful!!!

There are many ways of thinking when we encounter someone such as this older gentleman, in need of kindness and attention. Perhaps he's just simply lazy and didn't work hard enough in his life. Or he should have gone to school and made more of himself. But just maybe he needs a little helping hand and thank God for this young man who inspired the others to goodness as well. Oh, by the way, the last words this young man told the server was,  "There go I, but by the Grace of God." 

God Bless All of You.
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Readers Comments

cedarcreekdon wrote: Way to go! Touched my heart!
Karen wrote: I think the reason the young man didn't give the juice himself is because he was able to double the act of kindness this way. He shared the giving act with the waitress -- which in my mind is an even greater act of kindness, for her than for the man who received the juice. Wow.
fletia wrote: Wooooww! Im in grade 3 and im gonna do a presentation on this and show it to my class! This really touched my heart
lovingfriend wrote: Wowwww. So inspiring. Thanks a lot for sharing this.
DeniseM wrote: Wonderful story.

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