Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Where's The Jelly?


--by loretta, posted Mar 26, 2008

I just came in from the grocery store. I only needed one item but the woman in line before me had spent more than the money she had in her hand.  As she checked out her 2-3 packed bags, she asked the cashier to put the jelly back so she would have enough money to cover the bill.

As she paid, I looked at her and told her I was going to buy that jelly for her.

She said, "Oh no, you don't have to. I just didn't grab enough money when I left my home." I looked at her and happily said, "That's okay.  Perhaps you could return the favor to someone else."  Caught up in the spirit of generosity, she tried to offer me something else until she landed upon an idea -- "Can I give you some of my "Turkey points?"   At this store, they give you Turkey points if spend a certain amount of money.

"Yeah, sure," I said, thinking in my mind that I will pay-it-forward to a man that I know that gives them to folks that need a turkey for Thanksgiving.

I left the store with a smile on my face seeing how this wonderful circle of giving works. 

I also got to thinking that maybe the woman just forgot to bring in the extra money, but maybe she actually didn't have the money.  I'm glad I didn't take that chance. 

After all, let's face it -- you just can't have a peanut butter sandwich!  You need the jelly.

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Readers Comments

AURELIA wrote: Good One! Even if she did have the money at home, you got her thinking about helping others, by setting a wonderful example. I'm sure she'll think of you everytime she eats a PB&Jelly sandwich :) ... With the holiday season upon us, we all need to be generous to those less fortunate than ourselves. :) ~Aurelia
MakeSomeoneSmile wrote: Good for you for helping her out. There are so many ways to be kind. Thanks for taking advantage of an opportunity to do so that came your way!
JuneBug wrote: You got the lady out of a ''jam'' when you paid for the ''jelly''!....Sorry...Just a little humor there....:}
brighteyes wrote: JuneBug's comment has me chuckling....agree wholeheartedly..thanks for paying for the jam (Lord know my hubby can not live with his grape jelly to accompany the peanut butter).
lovebug wrote: I can only say, that I am glad you took the chance. Life indeed is a circle and it always comes around. God Bless
irongrace wrote: THis is cool! PB isn't the same without jelly.
theresa formica wrote: that was very kind of you and theen she gave you the turkey stamps that will help someone else. 2 kinds if kindness at the same time.
Tammymay wrote: Kindness starts with one simple act that will spread like falling dominoes! Thanks for starting the kindness!
Sumatindra wrote: Yes. That was very simple thing but that will be the first step of your great-kindness journey.
funtherapist wrote: It is so easy sometimes to be kind. Just living with an open heart inspires us to make a gesture that impacts an entire circle of others. Thanks for the story!

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