It was a stormy night when a husband and wife were abruptly awakened by a loud pounding on their door. Groggy and confused, the husband peered out the bedroom window and noticed a strange car parked outside their house. With a sigh, he begrudgingly made his way to the front door, where he was met by a disheveled and intoxicated stranger seeking help.
“Can you give me a push?” the drunk man pleaded, rain soaking him to the bone.
The husband, annoyed and thinking about the late hour, refused without hesitation. “Not a chance!” he exclaimed. “Do you know what time it is? Get lost!” And with that, he slammed the door shut, returning to the comfort of his warm bed.
Curious, the wife asked her husband about the commotion. “Who was that?” she inquired.
“Just some drunk guy looking for assistance,” he grumbled in response.
Concerned, the wife pressed further. “Did you help him?” she asked, her voice filled with compassion.
“Absolutely not,” he replied stubbornly. “It’s pouring rain and it’s 3 AM. I told him to go away.”
His wife’s face contorted with disappointment. “Do you remember when we broke down a few months ago and those kind strangers kindly helped us?” she reminded him. “That man needs your help, and you left him out there? You should be ashamed of yourself. Go and help him!”
Reluctantly, the husband begrudgingly clothed himself, bracing for the rain that awaited outside. He trudged downstairs, preparing to face the elements and the stranger he had dismissed so callously.
“Hello? Are you still here?” the husband called out into the darkness.
“Yes!” came a faint voice from afar.
“Do you still need help?” inquired the husband, his voice softer now.
“Yes, please!” responded the voice, carrying a sense of hope.
“Where are you?” the husband asked, trying to locate the stranger.
The drunk man retorted, “Over here, on the swing set!”
With a mixture of surprise and amusement, the husband made his way toward the swing set to find the stranger, ready to lend a helping hand.
In the end, this encounter served as a reminder that kindness and compassion can make a significant difference in the lives of others, regardless of the circumstances or the late hour.
