One Stranger's Kindness

While doing some caving in Southern Missouri a few years ago, we came out of a cave only to find a flat tire on our van. I was with three or four of my buddies and we were covered in mud and not the most clean-cut group. We drove the crippled van to the nearest town. We were way out in the country and we stumbled across a "mutton feed." We were told that there was a gentleman who might be able to help us.

The gentleman had a small shop in his barn. We called him and he left his house and met us at the mutton feed, bringing with him an air tube. He filled the tire up with air and we followed him to his home. After examining the tire, he confirmed that we needed a new tire. He gave us the keys to his jeep and we drove to the nearest Wal-Mart and picked up a new tire. It was late at night when we arrived back at the barn with the tire.

Throughout our whole experience, the man's children were playing in the yard and watching their father. We started to throw a frisbee around with the kids while their father changed the tire. After a few hours we were on the road again. The man would not accept payment for his work and sent us on our way. We couldn't help but think not only of the man's kindness but also of the example he was setting for his children by his generosity, care for others and in assisting total strangers.

Submitted by Anonymous

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