
This grandpa was selling onions by the side of a busy road. A man was watching from afar and saw that no one stopped for the old man. Concerned, he went over and asked the old man how much he has sold today. The old man said that he has sold $2 worth of onions. He also asked the old man some personal questions and found out that the old man grew everything himself. The grandpa is 82 years old this year. He had a son who died.
Knowing life is tough for street vendors, the young man told the old man that he'll buy everything. The grandpa asked him if he's willing to accept the $5 (Yuan) price, the man answered that he's selling it for too cheap. But the grandpa replied that it's because no one wanted to buy the onions.
The young man handed over a $100 bill which shocked the old man. He did not have enough change on him to give him the change. Despite the young man saying it's okay, the old man quickly went and exchanged his $100 bill for smaller bills. He handed $95 over to the young man but the young man wouldn't accept it, saying please just accept the money.
The old man finally accepted the money. Just as he was about to leave, the young man returned. He gave the old man a new hat saying yours is broken. Indeed the old man's straw hat has been broken for a long time but he didn't have the money to buy a new one. The young man told the elderly man that he can throw away his old hat now but the old man refused, he believed that he could recycle the old hat and get $10 (yuan) in return.
But that's not all, the young man gave the old man two more shirts, similar to the one he's wearing. Seeing this the man softens. Life has been hard on him, but this gesture was beyond what he could've hoped for. He put his hand on his heart, saying he doesn't know what to say.
They parted ways, but the young man was not done yet. He came back just as the old man was about to drive away on his little farm truck with a bag of noodles and a tank of oil. The old man, so shocked by the generosity, stopped, his mind still processing, searching for something to say, asked the young man if he like to be a guest in his home. The young man accepted the old man's invitation to his home.
We just witnessed a lifelong friendship formed in front of our eyes. I hope this story has inspired you to be kinder towards one another. Do you see a street vendor with no costumers? Go over there and learn their story. Buy their stuff. Do not be cheap. Tell them to keep the change. Let's be a bit kinder towards one another because life can be tough for so many silent people.