Burger Wrapper
July 3rd, 2011 | Author: kim
One day, a fine young man decided to eat at the diner along his way. He’s having a bad day. He lost in the bidding of a very important project. His car broke down. His ATM card was captured by the machine and he only had P500 in his wallet. He had to take the taxi that might cost him about P250 and he was very hungry.
So, he ordered the cheapest burger and the smallest cup of coke and took the farthest table. As he was unwrapping his burger, he noticed an emaciated and untidy boy looking at his food. Ordinarily, he doesn’t care about the boy or any of his kind. But the boy looked hungry and he was staring at his burger as if his life depended on it. So, he waved at the boy inviting him to come inside.
The boy looked over his shoulder and finding no one behind him walked into the diner. When he got to the young man’s table, he politely asked him..
“You called for me, sir?” he asked in a determined voice.
“Oh yes. Take your seat..” replied the man, still unsure why he invited the boy over. The boy sat down and looked expectantly.
“Well, I just noticed that you were looking at my burger..” started the man, “I wonder whether you would like to have it . If you do, I will give it to you, unless you want something else, if so, then tell me so that we can ask the waitress to get one..”
“Oh.. That’s very nice of you, sir.. But I wasn’t looking at your burger. I was looking at the wrapper. They’re sold by the kilo..”
“But papers are too light. It will take you forever to gather enough to make one kilo..”
The boy grinned “That’s why you need to be patient, sir. My mother said PATIENCE is the key to success. I don’t understand what she means, but she said someday I will.”
“Your mother is wise. Now, would you like to take this burger?”
“No, thank you. You look hungry yourself, sir. Maybe you need it more than I do.”
“How did you know that?”
“I saw you entered the diner. If I were the one wearing the fine clothes and fancy shoes that you have on, I wouldn’t look as sad as you did, unless I am mighty hungry..”
“I still want you to have it..” insisted the young man.
“Are you sure, sir? My mother said it’s not right to take something from someone who needs it more than you do..”
“Don’t worry about me. I will buy another one if I get mighty hungry..”
The boy smiled and took the burger..
“Thank you very much. I’ll go ahead, sir.. I wish you have a good day..”
The young man stayed at the diner longer than he intended to. He just wished he was, at least, able to get the boy’s name..
Image Source: 123rf.com
*Original story by the blog author. Any similarity with other articles, fiction or otherwise, is purely coincidental.
This just made me think how long it has been since I ate my last burger.
Love the story!
That boy learned a valuable lesson from his mother and the young man in turn learned a valuable lesson from the boy. The boy learned the value of patience and the young man learned the value of sharing. Thanks for the post. God bless you always.