welcome friends today I'm going to tell you a heartwarming story about how a simple act of kindness changes lives enjoy the story Sarah Williams wiped the sweat from her brow as she finished arranging the last of the milk bottles on her makeshift stand at 38 the years of toil on Greenfield Farm had taken their toll etching lines of weariness on her once youthful face she sighed remembering better days before the bosses stopped paying salaries forcing the workers to Hawk their meager Goods by the roadside to make ends meet looking around Sarah saw she had arrived
late the prime spots near the road were already taken by her fellow villagers she needed a good day of sales to afford the roof repairs on her dilapidated house her handy neighbor Jack had agreed to patch the leaks but she still had to pay for materials and some of his time Lord please let me sell it all today Sarah prayed under her breath as the sun climbed higher Sarah watched enviously as customers from passing buses and cars flocked to the Stalls up front an hour dragged by the stream of buyers slowed to a trickle then
stopped two near empty buses remained discoring a smattering of passengers Sarah managed to flag down a few cars smiling gratefully as they pulled over to purchase her Dairy items half gone half to go she tallied if she could just sell the rest she calculated she'd have enough to buy Jack's supplies and get him started in a couple days the scene seemed Frozen in the midday heat when a bus pulled in a young boy no more than 12 or 13 leaped out and rushed to the driver Sarah watched as they engaged in an animated discussion the
boy gesticulating pleadingly while the driver shook his head adamantly eventually the driver closed the doors and the bus pulled away leaving the dejected boy sitting on the curb head in his hands poor little fella Sarah thought re recognizing him as a lad from the village a few miles down the road she and Minnie Johnson were the only vendors left Minnie loudly Hawking her scandalous tabloids to anyone with an earshot as the afternoon pressed on Sarah felt a tug of concern for the boy making a decision she grabbed a bottle of milk and a packet of
cheese pancakes from her stand approaching slowly she held out the items with a kind smile here sweetie you look hungry the boy looked up startled suspicion battled with the hollow look of hunger in his eyes hesitantly he reached out and took the food mumbling as shy thank you ma'am what's your name son and what are you doing out here all alone Sarah asked gently lowering herself to sit beside him between mouthfuls the boy told his story his name was Danny Greer and he was trying to get to his daddy's house his parents had split up
last year and his mama moved them in with her relatives in the village things were all right at first but then the relatives started drinking arguing even hitting him sometimes he had hid in the shed all night scared to go inside this morning he decided to go to his daddy's I tried to get on the bus asked a couple drivers real nice but they won't let me ride without no money I know the way though get to the station at the end of the line then go left across the highway Sarah's heart achd for the
young boy she only had 30 from today's sales barely enough for her roof but she couldn't bear the thought of this child hitchhiking along the open road reaching into her pocket she pulled out a crisp a20 Bill the price of a ticket to the end of the line Danny's eyes widened as she pressed the money into his hand here honey you get yourself home to your daddy safe now you he overwhelmed Danny threw his arms around Sarah in a quick Fierce hug spotting the final bus of the day pulling in he jumped up and sprinted
toward it calling thank you over his shoulder as the bus merged onto the highway a small hand thrust out a window waving wildly I'm Danny what's your name Sarah she called waving back Sarah Williams I won't forget Miss Sarah I'll see you again I promise with that the bus disappeared around the bend leaving Sarah alone with her thoughts and a few unsold Dairy items Lord let that child make it home safe she prayed as she packed up her stand for the Long Walk Home little did she know how a simple act of kindness would shape
her future the years hadn't been kind to Sarah Williams at 53 her weathered face and calloused hands told the story of a life of unceasing Labor she stood now back straight with righteous anger glaring at The Man Behind The Desk Michael please I've worked on Greenfield farm for 35 years never missed a day always my part can't you do something to help put in a word with the owner sarahk voice shook with barely contained frustration Michael Torrance the Farm's recently appointed manager leaned back in his leather chair an infuriatingly smug smile playing across his lips
sarah sarah sarah times have changed it's all about Market forces now bottom line is nothing's free you want something you've got to have something to trade and to be frank what exactly are you offering Sarah slammed her fist on the desk a lifetime of swallowed Pride bubbling to the surface how about loyalty Michael dedication I've given my life to this place and this is how you repay me you think Mr Greenfield would approve of you turning away his longest serving worker in her time of need Michael's eyes narrowed Now you listen here you scile old
bat Mr Greenfield's got bigger problems than one washed up farmand whining for a handout why don't you run along and let the adults worry about business trembling with rage and humiliation Sarah turned on her heel this isn't over Michael I won't let you treat folks this way slamming the office door behind her she blinked back bitter tears as she walked into the parking lot Sarah Sarah honey what's wrong Margaret Davis Sarah's former cooworker and nearest neighbor hurried over concern etched on her lined face Sarah collapsed into Margaret's arms the dam of her emotions finally breaking
through through heaving sobs she poured out the story of Michael's cruelty the Injustice of a lifetime of service tossed aside like yesterday's trash Margaret listened her own eyes misting over there now let it all out then we'll get you home and check your blood pressure don't want you stroking out over that heartless bastard leaning on Margaret for support Sarah made her way to Margaret's Rusty pickup truck they rode in silence through the dusty Countryside each lost in memories of better times as they pulled up to Sarah's ramshackle house a sleek black Mercedes sat idling in
the driveway two men Stood Beside it an older gentleman in a crisp business suit and a younger man in well-worn jeans and a button-down shirt the younger man locked eyes with Sarah a slow smile of recognition spreading across his handsome face Aunt Sarah he called striding toward her it's me Danny Greer from the bus stop remember Sarah stared and shock as the well-dressed man approached his face triggering a flood of memories the scared little boy from the bus stop all grown up tears welled in her eyes as she clasped his hands Dany is it really
you what on Earth are you doing here Dany grinned pulling Sarah into a warm hug I made a promise Aunt Sarah said I'd see you again and I meant to keep it just took me a might longer than I planned he gestured to the older man this here's my daddy Samuel he's the help me track you down Samuel stepped forward removing his hat Mrs Williams it's an honor Danny's told me what you did for him all those years ago I can't thank you enough flustered Sarah waved them inside come in come in I'll put on
some tea you must be parched from your trip as Sarah busied herself in the kitchen Dany and Samuel looked around the small house signs of disrepair were everywhere peeling wallpaper leaking ceilings the musty smell of aged wood they exchanged a concerned glance seated around the rickety dining table steaming mugs in hand Sarah apologized for the state of her home I'm sorry it's not much hard to keep things fixed on my salary or lack of one lately Dany leaned forward what do you mean Aunt Sarah doesn't the farm help with repairs after all your years there
Sarah barked a humorless laugh the farm they ain't even paying us regular these days it's every man for himself just about Samuel's brow furrowed that can't be legal not paying earned wages something's not right here he and Danny shared a long look Aunt Sarah Dany said slowly Daddy and I were planning to stay in town for a couple days visit some old friends you think we might could impose on your hospitality Sarah beamed impose Danny you're welcome in my home anytime I've got a spare room not much but it's clean as Sarah puttered around getting
the room ready Samuel pulled out his cell phone son I've got some calls to make I have a hunch there's more to this Farm situation then meets the eye the next morning Sarah was surprised to see a man in a hard hat walking around her property scribbling on a clipboard Dany was close behind morning Aunt Sarah this is Joe Miller best contractor in the county I asked him to take a look see what needs doing to get this place fixed up right Sarah sputtered Danny I can't afford no contractor I'm pinching pennies as it is
Dany laid a calming hand on her arm don't you worry about that Daddy and I want to do this for you call it repaying a long overdue kindness by the next day Sarah's yard was swarming with workers the buzz of saws and thump of hammers filled the air as repairs began in Earnest Sarah was on the porch marveling at the hubub when a familiar truck came barreling down the driveway m Torrance leaped out face red with rage Sarah what the hell is all this you got money to pay these strangers but you're stiffing your own
people Samuel who had been conferring with the foreman strolled over Mr Torrance is it I'm Samuel Greer I think you and I need to have a conversation about how a farm should treat the elderly folks who've given it a lifetime of service with a firm hand on Michael's elbow Samuel steered the sputtering manager toward his Mercedes Sarah caught the words labor board and full audit before the car door slammed and the two men sped off toward Greenfield Farm's offices Dany chuckled as he climbed the porch steps I almost feel sorry for that Michael fella being
on the wrong side of Daddy on a tear that's not a place I'd want to be he turned to Sarah his face growing serious Aunt Sarah Daddy and I were hoping we might could visit regular make this a sort of second home I I ain't got no grandma and I don't like going to the house mama's in these days would that be all right with you Sarah felt a rush of warmth a sense of family and belonging she had never known before blinking back tears she pulled Dany into a fierce hug son having you here
would be a blessing and an answer to prayer funny how things come full circle a little milk and pancakes a bus ticket and here we are Danny smiled his own eyes glistening just goes to show a bit of kindness can change a life and you Aunt Sarah you're the best kind of person there is you deserve to live well surrounded by love as Sarah looked around her transforming home felt the affection of her Newfound family she knew her life would never be the same A stranger's kindness repaid tenfold for the first time in years Sarah's
heart swelled with hope for the future
