There was a man who lived honestly. He was always there to help a friend in need, and he never asked for anything in return. Whenever his pay came in, I gave away what was left to the people that he thought needed it. He never gave it a second thought. He always gave a hand to those in distress. He almost always recieved a "thank you", though he did not expect it. Others would look at him, and simply shake their heads. The ones that he had helped would simply go on their way, or receive his assistance later on, again and again. He did not mind it. He had a blind trust in others.
The man would feed the stray dogs, and he would do little things that no one would ever even notice. What could it be that kept him going on like this? That was the question on everyone elses minds. The man had built a routine out of it, and eventually it was an everyday occurance.
The people gave their thanks to the man, and he went on his way, always looking behind him to make sure that he was no longer needed. The years went by, and eventually the people started to move on from their lives in that town. Yet the man always stayed with his usual routine. Always feeding the strays, donating, and doing the little things. He was not given thanks often anymore. The man never stopped.
One day, the man was confronted by a younger man, who had been someone he would always lend a hand to.
The young man said, "Why is it that you have always helped others and have never asked for anything in return for all of your life."
The man snickered and simply said, " Young man, I have never had to ask for anything. I have always recieved it, without a word being said."
Looking confused the young man replied, "What is it that you recieve?"
The man looked down to his feet for a moment before looking back at the young man and cracking a smile.
The man replied "I have always recieved the appreciation and gratitude of those around me. I have witnessed their happiness, and every other emotion under the sun, whether it be happiness, sadness, anger, or whatever. I have lived to what I believe is my purpose in life. It wasn't wealth or anything cliché like that. I have lived thus far because of others, they give to me what is impossible to give myself. It is true that I have never asked for anything, but that does not mean that I recieved nothing. Because there is much more to this life than what simply meets the eye. No, the heart can show you many things. Whole new feelings, and whole new understandings of life. That, young man, is what I recieve."
The young man looks at him for a moment before saying "Thank you, sir." before walking away.
The man died that winter. and everyone that he knew or helped attended or send their condolences. The man had supposedly died in his sleep, with a smile on his face.
The young man had attended the funeral, and as he passed by, he said "It all paid off for you in the end. I can see now what you meant. People meant the world to you, and there's no way that anyone can ever repay the kindness that you showed in your life. You were a man among men, and you deserve to be honored for it. Thank you so much, dad, I love you, and I will miss you."
The young man walked away with a tear falling down his cheek, and the funeral came to an end shortly after. A few days later, the young man was walking around the town and was greeted by everyone on the streets. He noticed after a while that nearly every place he walked into had a picture of his father on the wall in the center, with a place all its own, to honor his memory. And below each picture were the words "Thank you." The sight simply brought the young man to weep. For he knew someone who was revered as truly beautiful, and who left him a legacy to fulfill and surpass.
-- The moral of this short story is that there is always more to it than you think. The man led a truly happy life, though he did not have everything in the world. He knew what he needed, and he was content with that. He touched the lives of all around him. He truly left his mark on the world.--
