It Pays To Be Generous

by Janis
(USA)

Random acts of kindness on it pays to be generous. One cold day I was going through the drive-through window of my favorite fast-food restaurant to get the big soda I usually need to start my day. I need caffine, but don't like coffee.

The girl who took my money looked miserably cold. After handing me my change and soda, she recoiled her hands together in a ball to try to warm them.

I said, "Your poor hands are getting so cold and chapped. Don't you have any gloves?" She said she didn't, so I took my gloves off and handed them to her. I always carry a spare pair of gloves in my glove compartment!

She was so appreciative and thanked me profusely. A few weeks later I was waiting in the lobby of a bank until the rain let up because I was wearing a thin dress that would have soaked to my skin if I had gotten wet.

A gentleman came into the bank, unfolded his umbrella and looked at me. He said, "Here, do you need an umbrella? Take mine." At first I refused because I thought he was a customer like I was who would be leaving again soon. But when he told me he had an office in the building and always kept a spare umbrella at work, I smiled and accepted his generosity. It pays to be generous.

The power of giving was returned.