Friendship Stories

An Act of Kindness

Alex arrived at the superstore late in the evening. He parked his car in the near-empty parking lot and walked to the entrance. Standing in front of the store off to the side was a man. He looked like he was in his late sixties, with stringy gray hair and light brown eyes. His skin was pale and grimy while his hands were wrinkled and bony. 

Alex smiled faintly as he passed by. The man inclined his head slightly in return. Then he noticed the sign the stranger was holding and the styrofoam cup in his right hand. The sign read: Please help, any donation of food or money would be greatly appreciated.

As Alex looked around, he realized that the few people that were walking in and out of the store didn't even bother to look at the old man. It was as if he wasn't there. But that was what most people did. Whenever there was a homeless person, people would usually stay clear or ignore them. But this man seemed kind. 

Alex entered the store. He quickly put some food for himself in his shopping cart before going to the "drinks" aisle where he got a bottle of water. He spent another five minutes in the store, looking for some bread. Alex paid at the cash register and headed out the door.

I hope he's still there. Alex exited the building and looked to his right. There he saw the old man, still standing in his original spot with his sign and cup. No one else was outside with them.

The man smiled as Alex approached him. 

"Hi," Alex said, holding out the small bag of bread and the water, "this is for you."

"Oh, thank you, thank you." The old man tucked his sign and empty cup under his arm. He smiled gratefully as he accepted the food from Alex, knowing that he would finally have some food after a long day. 

"Thank you," the man said again. "I appreciate this very much." 

"You're welcome," Alex said with a grin. He waved goodbye to the stranger before heading off to his car. When he looked over his shoulder, the man was gone; probably off to somewhere eating his food.

That night, two people walked away from that store with a smile on their face. One was happy with the satisfaction of helping a stranger. The other was content to have a meal to eat.