The author tried to show kindness to an old man, and both of them were embarrassed. Only then did he realize that kindness alone is not enough.

sampler

There is a shop selling puddings. Every Christmas, many of these delicious foods are arranged in a row for customers to choose. Here you can choose the pudding that suits your taste best, and even the store allows you to taste all kinds of puddings before making a decision.

I often wonder if some people who have no intention of buying will take advantage of this discount. One day, I asked the salesgirl this question and learned from her that it was indeed the case.

"For example, there is such an old gentleman," she told me. "He comes here almost every week and tastes every kind of pudding. Although he never buys anything, I guess he will never buy it. I remember him from last year, even the year before last. Well, if he wants to try it, let him come and welcome him to try it. In addition, I hope there are more shops for him to taste. He does seem to have this demand, and I don't think they care. "

Just as she said this, an elderly gentleman limped to the counter and began to look at the row of puddings with interest.

"Well, this is the gentleman I told you about just now," the clerk said to me softly. "Now you just have to look at him." Then she turned to the old man and said, "Would you like to try these puddings, sir? You can use this spoon. "

Although the old gentleman's clothes are worn out, they are neat. He picked up the spoon and began to taste it one by one, only occasionally stopping to wipe his red eyes with a big broken handkerchief.

"This kind is very good."

"This is not bad either, just a little tired."

One thing is obvious from beginning to end: he sincerely believes that he may eventually buy a pudding; I'm sure he doesn't feel that he is cheating the store at all. Poor old man! It is likely that he has been down and out. He used to have money to buy his favorite pudding, but now he can only taste it like this.

The customers who are busy shopping for Christmas are all beaming and look rich. The figure of the old man Xiaohei is very pitiful and disproportionate among this group of people. I suddenly moved compassion, walked up to him and said:

"Excuse me, sir, can you do me a favor? Let me buy you a pudding. I will be very happy if you can accept it. "

He jumped back as if he had been stung by something, and his wrinkled face suddenly flushed.

"I'm sorry," he said, and his arrogance was far beyond what I could imagine from his appearance. "I don't think I know you. There is no doubt that you misunderstood me. " So he made a decisive decision and turned to the salesgirl and said loudly, "Please wear this for me. I want to take it with me. " He pointed to the biggest and most expensive pudding.

The salesgirl took the pudding off the shelf and began to season it. At this time, he took out an old little black wallet and began to count coins, shillings and pennies, and put them on the counter. In order to save face, he was forced to buy something he really couldn't afford. How I wish I could take back my inappropriate words! However, it is too late, and I think the best thing to do at this time is to walk away.

"Please pay at the cashier over there," the salesgirl told him, but he didn't seem to understand, so he just put the coin in her hand. I haven't seen the old man since then, and I haven't heard anything about him. Now he will never go to that shop to taste pudding again.