Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Paid In Full With One Glass of Milk


--by brighteyes, posted Jul 27, 2007

"One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry. He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door.

Instead of a meal, he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry and so she brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it slowly, and then asked, "How much do I owe you?"

"You don't owe me anything," she replied. "Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness." He said, "Then I thank you from my heart." As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strengthened also. He had been ready to give up and quit.

Years later, that young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease.

Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, he went down the hall of the hospital to her room. Dressed in his doctor's gown, he went in to see her. He recognized her at once. He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day, he gave special attention to the case.

After a long struggle, the battle was won. Dr. Kelly requested from the business office to pass the final billing to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge, and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. She read these words:

"PAID IN FULL WITH ONE GLASS OF MILK....

(Signed)
Dr. Howard Kelly."

Tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happy heart prayed: "Thank You, God, that Your love is shed abroad through human hearts and hands."

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Readers Comments

rrsherrera wrote: What is the name of the book?
rrsherrera wrote: What is the name of the book?
raman wrote: Reading this made me emotional and happy.
Sriramaloo wrote: Iwish there are more people like him in this world
Torach Emmanuel wrote: That was a wonderful and encouraging move he made towards the lady. I wish the whole world could first think of solving other people's weaknesses before looking onto their. There would surely be peace and harmony with each and everybody.
Seda wrote: This story is really one of great stories. I was reading it while i was crying. I am just sure that. Kindness can change our lives. And some people who made difference in positive ways,always are alive.

Do you want to enter paradise? If yes,be kind with yourself and others.
Yin wrote: This is one of the best stories that i have ever read here in this site.
ERICKA wrote: I like the story it is so interesting. And it can influence the people to do just like what the girl and sir howard did. That story is so touchable. :]
rutchelle wrote: I really like the story it really encourages everybody to study very well so that when somebody needs help they can help it without hesitation. And it's also a good influence story because the girl is also very kind who is taught by her mother to be kind to everybody who needs help. I loviit!
Ramesh wrote: Tears in my eyes. What a great kindness? As liz said kindness is a seed which grows over time to become a tall tree. This is really true

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