Here at Fabweb, we know that selfless deeds never go unrewarded. Put something good out into the universe and it will find its way back. Just like in this story.

Once, a poor boy named Howard Kelly was selling goods door-to-door to pay his way through school. One day things weren’t going so well, and he was left out on the street penniless. Starving, he decided to try his luck asking for food at the next house he saw. It was not like him, begging strangers for meals, yet an empty stomach meant swallowing his pride and doing what’s necessary to get a plate of something with actual calories in it.

He reached out and pressed the doorbell. But when a lovely young woman answered the door, Howard suddenly lost his nerve. Asking for food seemed like too much. He wasn’t THAT hungry, you know, just a bit peckish…

Blushing and stuttering nervously, Howard finally managed a meek ’Can I…have a…glass of water, please?’

Although the woman was young, she was also wise. She knew that boys don’t run on water alone. So she disappeared inside for a moment and came out with a big glass of milk.

Howard couldn’t believe his luck. He drank the milk slowly and returned the glass to the young woman: ’How much do I owe you?’

’Nothing’, the young woman smiled. ’My mother taught me never to accept payment for an act of kindness.’

’Then I thank you from the bottom of my heart!’ declared Howard Kelly.

When he finally left, after thanking the young woman a dozen more times, the boy felt like he could move mountains. His stomach was full, but more importantly, his faith in humanity was restored. People, kind and fair people, were indeed everywhere!

Years went by. The woman became seriously ill and local doctors couldn’t help her. Eventually, they decided to send her to the city, where experienced specialists would examine the woman and decide on appropriate treatment.

Among those specialists was none other than Dr. Howard Kelly. When he heard what town the new patient came from his eyes lit up. He immediately went to check on the woman and found her sleeping. There was no mistake it was her, the very same kind stranger who offered him a glass of milk at his lowest point, what seemed like ages ago.

Howard studied her chart and his face darkened: the woman was on the brink of death. The doctor returned to his office and spent some time sitting there quietly, thinking about the unfairness of it all. And the more he thought, the more he was determined to do something. It was already dark outside when he jumped out of his chair and vowed to save this kind woman, no matter what. After all, he wouldn’t even be here if not for her.

From that day onwards, Howard Kelly gave special attention to the woman’s case. And after eight months of desperate wrestling, he managed to beat the fatal disease. The woman was once again safe and happy.

Howard asked the hospital to pass her final bill to him for approval. When it arrived, the sum was…let’s just say, it was quite astronomical. Dr. Kelly scribbled something on the edge of the bill and had it sent to the woman’s room.

She feared to open it. She would probably have to work tirelessly day and night to pay it off. Finally, the woman took a deep breath and opened the bill. The very first thing that caught her eye was not the final sum (still quite astronomical), but the small number of words jotted at the bottom. Her heart filled with warmth and gratitude. The note read: ’Paid in full with one glass of milk. Dr. Howard Kelly.’

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