A good deed takes you a long way...

A good deed takes you a long way...

This was one of the forwarded mails I received today from a friend. Imagine my surprise on receiving this in my inbox, just when I had my own doubts about doing good to others .

I wish there many more young woman like the one in this story who would do good to others and a few like Dr.Howard Kelly (you cannot expect all to be like him,right?) who would at least acknowledge the good deeds.

I do not ask for money or a favor back ,but a smile on your face when you see me or a just a call to say hello would be more than enough.

Wondering what the story is about?....Read on...

GLASS OF MILK

One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry.

He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door.

Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water! . She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it so slowly, and then asked, How much do I owe you?"

You don't owe me anything," she replied. "Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness."

He said ... "Then I thank you from my heart."

As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit

Many year's later that same young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease.

Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes.

Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room.

Dressed in his doctor's gown he went in to see her. He recognized her at once.

He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to her case.

After a long struggle, the battle was won.

Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. She read these words ...

"Paid in full with one glass of milk"

(Signed) Dr. Howard Kelly.

Tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happy heart prayed: "Thank You,
God, that Your love has spread broad through human hearts and hands."

There's a saying which goes something like this: Bread cast on the waters comes back to you. The good deed you do today may benefit you or someone you love at the least expected time. If you never see the deed again at least you will have made the world a better place - And, after all, isn't that what life is all about?

Love,luck and sunshine,
Deepa

update : Vicki W(Ryan) posted a link in the comments about this story which has been doing the rounds of the internet for quite some time. While the story is true, some embellishments have been added to make it touching.Still, whatever be the exaggerations, I like the fact that Dr. Kelly recognized and acknowledged the girl's good deed.