Mary stood in line, feeling the panic rise as she fumbled through her purse. “Oh no,” she muttered under her breath, her face flushed with embarrassment. She looked up at the cashier with an apologetic smile. “I must’ve left my wallet in John’s car. I’m so sorry, but I’ll have to leave these.”
The cashier had already started to return her items when a voice from behind spoke up. “Wait, ma’am! You don’t have much, I can cover it,” said a boy, no older than twelve.
Mary blinked, surprised. “Oh no, I couldn’t let you do that,” she protested, looking at the boy who didn’t seem like he had much money himself.
“Please,” the boy insisted, his brown eyes sincere. “My grandma says what goes around comes around. Good karma, you know?”
Mary hesitated but finally nodded, feeling both grateful and awkward. “Thank you, really,” she said as he paid for her groceries.
“Don’t mention it,” the boy replied with a grin.
“What’s your name?” she asked, still taken aback by his generosity.
“I’m Mark,” he said, shrugging like it was no big deal.
“I’m Mary,” she replied warmly. “You saved me from a huge hassle. Can I get your number to pay you back?”
Mark scribbled his number down. “No rush,” he said. “I’m just around the corner.”
Mary smiled at him as they parted ways, feeling touched by the boy’s kindness.
Later that day, she told her daughter Anastacia, who was curled up on the couch recovering from the flu. “You won’t believe what happened,” she said, recounting the story.
“That’s incredible,” Anastacia said. “It’s nice to know there are still good people out there.”
“I know, right?” Mary agreed. “But I feel bad. He didn’t seem like he had much, and I hope he didn’t need that money for something important.”
The next day, with her wallet back, Mary decided to visit Mark’s house with Anastacia to return the money. When they arrived, they saw a small, tidy home with a garden. Mark greeted them at the door.
“Hey, Mrs. Cummings! You didn’t have to rush,” he said, surprised to see them.
“Well, I wanted to. Here’s the money, and thank you again,” Mary said, introducing her daughter.
Mark smiled but glanced nervously over his shoulder. “Thanks, but my grandma doesn’t like visitors much.”
“Where is she?” Anastacia asked, curious. “We were going to the bakery and thought she might like some pie.”
Mark’s smile faded. “She’s in the hospital,” he said quietly. “She needs surgery, and I’m trying to raise money for it. It’s been hard.”
“Oh no,” Mary said, her heart going out to him. “That’s so much for you to handle on your own.”
“It’s just the two of us,” Mark said with a shrug. “I started a GoFundMe, but it’s not going so well.”
Mary and Anastacia exchanged a glance. “Let us help,” Anastacia said. “Give us the link to the GoFundMe. We’ll share it and get more people involved.”
“Are you sure?” Mark asked, surprised.
“Absolutely,” Mary said. “Come with us to the bakery, and we’ll visit your grandma with some pie.”
Mark hesitated but finally agreed. After visiting his grandma, Mary and Anastacia returned home, determined to help. They shared Mark’s story on social media, and soon, donations began pouring in.
Days later, a news station picked up the story, and the GoFundMe hit its goal. Mark couldn’t believe it—his simple act of kindness had brought the help his grandma needed.
In the end, it wasn’t just Mark’s grandma who benefited. His generosity sparked a wave of kindness that touched everyone involved.
What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments!
