Mary had just finished picking up a few essentials at the grocery store when she realized her wallet was missing. “Oh no, I must have left my wallet in John’s car. I’m really sorry, but I’ll have to come back for these later,” she told the cashier, who began to put her items back. As she prepared to leave, a voice behind her stopped her.
“Wait, ma’am! You don’t have many things. I can cover it,” offered the boy behind her in line. He looked no older than 12, and Mary could tell from his appearance that he wasn’t from a wealthy family.
“Oh no, I couldn’t let you do that,” Mary replied, feeling embarrassed.
“I insist, ma’am,” he said with a smile. “Sometimes we need to help others. That’s what my grandma always says—karma will reward us later.” Without waiting for her response, he paid for her items, which thankfully weren’t much.
Mary, who had traveled from San Diego to Santa Ana to care for her daughter, Anastacia, who was down with the flu, thanked the boy as they left the store. “I’m Mary Cummings. What’s your name?” she asked warmly.
Mark,” the boy replied.
“Thank you, Mark. You saved me an extra trip. How about I get your number so I can pay you back when I find my wallet?” Mary offered, and Mark quickly wrote his number on the receipt.
“Don’t worry about it. There’s no rush,” he said with a shrug. “I live nearby.”
“Still, I believe in paying my debts,” Mary insisted with a smile, and they went their separate ways.
Later that day, Mary shared the story of the kind boy at the store with her daughter. “It was just a few items for soup, but it’s heartwarming to see such generosity in a young person,” she remarked.
“Yeah, especially when kids today can be pretty self-centered,” Anastacia replied.
“I don’t think this boy comes from much, which makes it even more special,” Mary mused, worried that Mark might have needed that money for something important. Luckily, her friend John was coming the next day to return her wallet.
The following morning, after retrieving her wallet from John, Mary and Anastacia decided to visit Mark to repay him. They arrived at the address he had given them—a modest but well-kept house with a small garden. Mark answered the door.
“Hey, Mrs. Cummings!” he greeted them.
“Hi, Mark. This is my daughter, Anastacia. We wanted to return the money and thank you again for your kindness,” Mary said, handing him the cash.
“Thank you, but there was really no rush,” Mark replied shyly, glancing behind him. “I’d invite you in, but my grandma wouldn’t be happy. She doesn’t like me having visitors when she’s not home.”
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