Epigraph:
What will explain to you what the steep path is?
It is to free a slave.
It is to feed at a time of hunger.
An orphaned relative.
Or a poor person in distress. (Al Quran 90:12-16)
Source: LinkedIn
Today I am telling you a story of a poor boy. There was once a poor boy who sold goods from door to door to pay his way through school. One day he was doing the same and had only one thin dime left. since he was hungry, he thought of asking for meal at the next house.
On knocking, he found a beautiful young woman opened the door, and lost his nerve on seeing her. Instead of asking for food, he asked for drinking water. The woman thought he must be hungry, so brought him a large glass of milk. “How much do I owe you?” asked the boy after drinking it slowly.
“You don’t owe me anything”, she replied. “Mother has taught us never accept payment for a kindness.” The boy said, “Then I thank you from my heart.”
As Howard Kelly left that house, his faith in man and God grew stronger and physically also he felt strong. Earlier he had decided to give up and quit.
Years later, the young woman had fallen critically ill. She was taken to a big city since the local doctors there were helpless. Specialists were called to study her rare disease. Dr. Kelly was also one of the specialists. When he heard the name of the town from where she came, a strange light filled his eyes and they were gleaming.
Immediately out of excitement, he went to the patients’ ward dresses in his doctor’s gown. He recognized her at once. He went back to his consultation room and decided to study the case and do his best to save her life. From that day, he began to give special attention to that case. After a long struggle, Dr. Kelly succeeded to cure the lady. He suggested the hospital authority to pass on the final bill for approval before sending it to the woman. She feared to open it, for she was sure that it would take the rest of her life to pay for it at all. Finally she looked and something caught her attention when she saw these words written on the edge…
“Paid in full with one glass of milk.”
(signed) Dr. Howard Kelly.
Tears of joy filled the woman’s eyes as her happy heart prayed, “Thank You God, that Your love has spread abroad through human hearts and hands.”
”The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.”
Oscar Wilde
Suggested reading by Zia H Shah MD, Chief Editor of the Muslim Times
Thirty Plus Quotes from the Poet of Love – Rumi
Rumi’s Love Quotes Capture The Sufi Mystic’s Divine Passion
Two Hundred Verses about Compassionate Living in the Quran
A Message of Compassion and Love from the Holy Bible
True Fasting: A Message of Compassion and Love from the Old Testament
Abou Ben Adhem, A Compassionate Man
‘Love Hormone,’ How it works in Hospitality?
‘Love Hormone’ Oxytocin May Enhance Feelings of Spirituality