Boy Pays for Starving Old Lady’s Groceries and Asks Her to Make a Wish — Story of the Day

Edith was standing outside the supermarket and staring at everyone with needy eyes to buy food for her. The woman hadn’t eaten anything in days and was starving. But nobody helped her except for a young boy who asked her to return the favor in a unique way.

Ten-year-old Sam Evans was a die-hard football fan, and he’d been saving for months to buy his favorite football kit. However, when he reached the store, he discovered that the kit’s price had risen, and the cost was now a few more dollars than what he’d managed to save.

Dejected, the boy almost burst into tears, but just then, he heard a voice from behind. “Are you all right, Sam?”

The boy turned and saw Mr. Barney, his neighbor, holding a bag of groceries. “Yes, Mr. Barney,” the boy replied as he wiped his tears and approached him. “I was just—”

“Well, you don’t seem okay, young man,” Mr. Barney interrupted. “Tell me if there’s anything I can do to assist you.”

“I had saved money for my football kit,” Sam sobbed. “But when I came today, I saw it’s a few dollars more than what I have.”

“That’s it? That’s why you’re upset?” Mr. Barney gave him a huge smile. “Don’t worry, kid; I will pay the extra cost.”

“Oh no, Mr. Barney!” Sam exclaimed. “If Mom finds out I asked you for money for the football kit, she’ll be furious. After school, I frequently spend the day playing football, so when I asked her for a new kit, she said no. So I’ve been saving for it. Plus, she told me not to borrow money from anyone. She says it’s not a good thing if you can’t return their favor and I don’t have money to pay you back.”

Mr. Barney laughed at the boy’s innocence. “Well, then how about you pay me back right now?”

“Now?” Sam was puzzled.

“Yes, promise me that you’ll pay forward this kindness. That means that if you come across someone in need and have the financial means to assist them, you’ll help them without hesitation. Deal?”

“Done, Mr. Barney,” Sam exclaimed joyfully and they went shopping for his football gear.

After that day, Sam began saving money as a promise to Mr. Barney that he’d help someone in need one day, and over the course of a year, the boy was able to amass $400!