It was an ordinary day in the small town of Fairhaven. Max was getting ready for work. He worked at a small office about 30 minutes away from his apartment. He had lived alone in that small apartment for quite some time now as his job did not pay him enough to get a bigger place for lodging due to his few qualifications.
Like any other day, Max finished up his breakfast and set off for work. After a long tiring day of work, Max took the 7:30 pm train to return as usual. Once Max reached the Fairhaven train station, he was walking back when he saw a little boy crying. He decided to approach him and ask the little boy why he was crying. Max asked the boy his name. ‘‘I’m George’’ he replied crying. “Where are your parents? asked Max. “They told me to wait here till they come but I have been waiting for an hour or so and they are still not here” replied George. Max decided he would help the little boy find his parents. Max took George with him to the announcements cabin of the train station where anyone could come and make announcements of a missing or lost person. Max announced about George, gave his details and said that they would be waiting outside the announcements cabin. They waited and waited till about 10 o'clock and there was no sign of anyone coming to claim George. Max was fed up but decided that he could not leave the child here alone at the train station, so he decided to take George back with him to his apartment. As they reached the apartment, it started raining heavily outside. Max noticed that George looked a little lost and scared and to comfort him, he started asking him questions while making him a cup of hot chocolate and giving him some pillows and blankets. From the conversation they had, Max deciphered that George was 6 years old and stayed at Birkentown (which was a town 4 hours away from Fairhaven) George had come to Fairhaven as his parents had a meeting there. His parents had told him to wait at the train station and had gone to get some water bottles for themselves but they never returned leaving poor little George stranded in solitary. Max kept George with him for a few days and took him back to the train station everyday to find his parents. Days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months but no one ever came to claim little George. After a few months, it dawned upon Max that it was very hard for him to take care of George as he could barely provide for himself. Max started searching for other jobs that could help improve his financial condition so that he could provide for George as well. One day, Max was offered a job and was called for an interview. His interview went well and he was hired for the job. This job was not the best as it had long and tiring hours but it certainly paid better than his previous one. His long working hours made it obligatory for him to keep George at a daycare for the longer part of the day.
Max always treated George as his own and soon became attached to him. Max had a tough childhood and never received adequate education as his parents were poor and hence he had to struggle a lot finding jobs. After 2 years when Max had saved enough money, he put George into a school as he really wanted George to have a good education and not struggle in the future. Max put his all into helping George study. Soon Max got a promotion and he and George moved out of the apartment and bought a house. By now George was sixteen and was ready to go to a university. George was a really bright student and hence received a scholarship that helped him get into a university. George moved into his dorm and studied at the university for 4 years after which he started working.
George worked very hard for a few years and was given a high position at a young age. At just 25 years of age, he became the CEO of the company he worked at. George had to travel back and forth for his work and really loved his job. Soon George told Max to retire and helped Max with everything. Max was really proud of George and was very happy that George was doing well. Once Max asked George why he is still in this small town of Fairhaven although he is so smart and can easily get a job in a big city. To that George replied “Fairhaven is my home. It is the place where my life changed forever. Who I am today is all because of the people of this town. I could never think about leaving my home.” Max was amazed by George. In the end, George thanked Max for everything Max had done for him and was happy that he could repay that.
This story is a true example of how when you do good things, they always come back to you. Just like how Max helped George in his life and later George could help Max in his retirement too. Their lives changed for the better and they both were finally happy. Doing something good is not a duty, but a joy as it increases our own happiness.
Comments