IT PAYS TO CARE
A young man who is married and has two children was driving home from work, when he saw someone walking down the middle of the road. Driving closer he saw it was a young teenage guy apparently oblivious to what he was doing. The teen looked angry and disheveled.
He started to honk to draw the boy’s attention to get out of the way. The teen started shouting and swearing at him, and refused to get out of the middle of the road. He pulled over to avoid hitting him, and got out of his car to see what the problem was.
The boy, still yelling obscenities approached him and drew a knife. The young driver was surprised, and raised his hand for him to stop. He asked him what was wrong. He told him it was obvious he was upset about something and asked if the boy wanted to talk about it; that he would listen.
He explained to the boy it would be a big mistake to attack him, and that he would only get in serious trouble. Whatever the problem was, there must be a way to work it out before it got out of hand. He said he was sympathetic, as he knew how hard it was right now with this economy; that so many people were without jobs, homes and money, and that he certainly could understand if he was upset.
The boy calmed down and talked with the young man and told him he appreciated him taking the time to speak with him. He told him about his problems, and said he had calmed down and was sorry he had drawn a knife on the young man. He thanked the young man and said he felt different now, and really was thankful the young man did not hold it against him or would make any trouble for him. He also said he felt entirely different now, and said he wished more people were like the young man who had taken the time to talk with him. He said goodbye and went on his way.
The young man got back in his car and went home and told his wife what he had experienced on his way home. She was relieved he had not been harmed, and impressed how her husband was able to get the boy to change his attitude.
The young man driving the car is married to my granddaughter, and is my grandson-in-law, and I must admit I am very impressed with him too. He took the time to speak with this troubled teen boy and changed his thinking. Which proves; it pays to care. We all need to be willing to reach out and help our fellow man. If he hadn’t cared, he might have been seriously hurt. In my book, he’s a hero!
Helen Price
Tags: Helen L Price
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