Story 12:
I was at the grocery store, and the man in front of me was trying to buy food for his family. His card was declined. The total was only a few dollars. He started putting items back on the shelf, his face red with shame.
I stepped in and paid for his things, and as I was leaving, he said, “Thank you, ma’am, I just got laid off, and I’ve got two hungry kids at home.”
He then handed me a crumpled dollar bill, “This is all I’ve got, but please take it.” I gave it back and walked away.
He caught up with me in the parking lot and handed me a small box. Inside was a hand-carved wooden elephant. The man said, “This is a gift from my family. It’s the last piece I ever carved before I got laid off. It is the last memory I have of my old life.”
