A friendly deed can lead to an inner smile

The refusers say, “No,” to those who ask for their help. They kick cans along the road, leave papers and trash wherever they’ve walked. A battered can becomes their gift to a neighbor’s yard.

This morning, while walking the street, Mack, saw a girl standing beside a car. He called out, “Hey, Justine, You joining the guys in the park this afternoon? “

Justine called back, “Hi, Mack, today I promised my brother I’d drive up the trail and take pictures of the river.”

“Pictures of the river?” Mack asked. “What for?”

“My brother says it’s pretty now and we can show the pictures to the folks in the Care Center.”

Mack laughed. “The Care Center?” As Mack turned away, Justine heard him mumble, “Glad it’s her problem, not mine.”

At that moment an elderly man showing plenty of energy, emerged from the car. “Would you please move your things so I can get my car onto the street? I need to get home.”

Mack mumbled, ”That’s the last place I want to be!”

Justine pointed her hand at Mack. “Never mind that. I’m concerned about your bicycle leaning on this man’s car. And the things you’ve piled up, hanging over the hood. Let’s get out of Mr. Johnson’s way.” She turned to the elderly man,” I’ll help you, Mr. Johnson.”

Mack mumbled,” Goody two shoes, huh? ” With a frown, careless yanking, pushing and shoving, Mack grabbed his belongings and stuffed them into the box on his bicycle. He ignored the dirt he left on the car, looked straight ahead and was gone.

When Justine and Mr. Johnson were settled in his car, Mr. Johnson asked, “What’s the matter with the young man? “

Justine smiled, “Mack’s learning that helping people makes you feel happy.”

Mr. Johnson chuckled, “He’d better hurry up, then. You’re far ahead of him, Justine.”

“I hope your dad’s home today,” he added. “I want to tell him what a nice daughter he has.”

Luella Dow is a Cheney-area author. She can be reached at [email protected].