The Unusual Bargain
My sister and I were on an impossible mission: find summer clothes for a vacation to a hot climate when all stores are displaying winter apparel. We agreed the only possible solution might be a trip to the Salvation Army store. It became a memorable shopping trip as we discovered more than we bargained for.
We found a couple of nice items and were standing in line waiting to pay. In the lineup there were two people ahead of me. A young man was being waited on. He was buying a rather odd assortment of clothes. He was chatting with anyone who was interested and soon we learned that he had just picked out all he needed for costumes. He and his girlfriend were going to a kindergarten party (where his girlfriend taught) as Hanzel and Gretel. He held up all the different items for the people in the line-up to see. He had done a great job of putting together costumes and many of us in the waiting line ups commented to that effect.
I chatted a bit with my sister, while at the same time noticing that the young man who was now being waited on, was paying with silver. I thought to myself, "must have had to rob the piggy bank!"
The cashier looked up at him after counting all the money and told him he was short. The young man thought for a moment and then pleaded with the lady to hold the one shirt. "Pease hold the shirt for me and I'll come back with more. I know I can find more money."
He was short by $3.00 and other shoppers feeling empathy for the fellow urged the sales clerk to just let him have the last item. The poor clerk looked at the small crowd and explained she just could not do that.
The lady in front of me, said,"how much did you say he needed?"
The clerk told her she needed three more dollars.
Well I could come up with half of that," she offered, then looked at me and asked if I could cover the other half.
"Yes, I can."
We dug into our handbags however both of us only had five dollar bills and we needed the clerk to make change for us.
During this wee exchange other customers began digging into their pockets and wallets. While I was waiting for the clerk to take my money I started searching my pockets. Quickly I discovered a dime in one pocket, thirty five cents in the other pocket and a quarter rolling on the bottom of my hand bag. I quickly turned over each new find to the clerk, but in the meantime everyone waiting at the counter wanted to get into the act.
A man beside me said "I can give 75 cents" and he handed it to me and I passed it on. My sister had disappeared for a moment and suddenly was back and handed a two dollar coin to me to pass up to the counter.
It was amazing and touching as this crowd of strangers seemed to react with the same mind. Everyone wanted to be a part of helping. Within minutes the clerk said: "I have too much money." A dollar was passed back to my sister. Then the lady beside me, who had been the first to offer said, "Wait, I didn't even get a chance to give anything!"
I smiled at her and said, "Well you did your share, because it was your wonderful idea and you started this."
The young man smiled at everyone and thanked them. We wished him the best and he left.
I stood there feeling euphoric. I was so elated that we had been able to help the young fellow, and now I wanted to help someone else. It was as if "giving" was contagious! I also felt some kind of attachment to the group. We had met, joined in a common cause and now, I felt, we needed to find another individual to help. There was this unnamed feeling and I did not wish it to end.
A man beside me grinned and said , "It sure feels good to give doesn't it?" I smiled back and said, "You bet!"
In the end I had only had the opportunity of giving seventy cents. It was the best bargain I had ever found. I was left with an overwhelmingly good feeling. I had seen the charity and goodness of others and it was great!
That positive feeling was almost tangible that day in the thrift store. I think it is such a wonder that you can receive so much for so little.
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