It Was Just an Ice Candy, But I Will Never Forget Her Smile

This happened three years back. But even today, when I think of it, it brings so much warmth to my heart.

I think of it as a gem that will always motivate me to do such small acts of kindness.

I won’t say it was an act of kindness because the act was a tiny one, but that brought a BIG smile to the face of a child.

That smile is unforgettable.

Here’s the incident.

Three years back, I was out as usual for a walk as part of the exercise suggested after a medical surgery. It was a very warm day and the street was so crowded. I took my usual path for the stroll.

As I walked, I got to see many street hawkers, beggars and many vendors lining the street, and they would be almost covering the roads.

That day, it was already late and I was thinking of just taking a quick walk and getting back to my room to continue with my work. I work remotely in a US shift, following a Pacific Time Zone.

As I was about to reach the apartment, I saw a child, a poor girl among the beggars, run to me and ask for money.

These days, since a large amount of transactions are done online, I didn’t have money with me. I really wanted to give her money, but unfortunately, I didn’t have any with me.

So I told her, “See, I don’t have money. That’s why I’m helpless.”

She was not thinking of leaving.

She could sense that I was sincerely wishing to give her money. So this little girl suggested that I should buy her an ice candy bar from the vendor standing a few steps away from us.

I could see her eyes glowing as she was saying it.

For a moment, I was thinking about my childhood, when I used to crave for such candies and never used to get tired of eating those.

She was persistent and didn’t want to let go of this opportunity.

I would say, she won me over.

She suggested that I make an online payment for her favorite candy.

Cool! She had a solution too.

I think her demand was genuine. It’s for something she loved.

Small joys of life.

No one knows that better than me.

I, at 46, still enjoy such little moments or joys.

As we reached the vendor, the vendor had his eyes rolling as to what was happening. A well-dressed woman accompanied by a poor girl in a dust-covered dress was approaching his van.

I said, “Please give her what she wants.”

She was so shy to even utter the name of her candy. But the vendor understood it instantly and he took it and gave it to her, even though he could still not release his eyebrows from his surprise.

I made the payment and looked at her face.

The moment.

The SMILE.

That glorious moment is etched in my heart.

The smile of gratitude.

It was such a small act, a minuscule act, but the joy it brought to a human face is something I won’t forget in life.

A FACE WORTH TAKING A PIC AND IMMORTALIZING.

That day, I went back to my room with so much joy.

The joy of making someone happy.

Often, we think only big acts can bring joy to our hearts and other faces.

Nope.

That million-dollar smile is enough to motivate you for a lifetime to do good things and humble yourself to take joy in small things too.