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by Steve Brunkhorst

The old man shuffled slowly into the restaurant. With head tilted, and shoulders bent forward, he leaned on his trusty cane with each unhurried step.His tattered cloth jacket, patched trousers, worn out shoes, and warm personality made him stand out from the usual Saturday morning breakfast crowd. Unforgettable were his pale blue eyes that sparkled like diamonds, large rosy cheeks, and thin lips held in a tight, steady smile.He stopped, turned with his whole body, and winked at a little girl seated by the door. She flashed a big grin right back at him. A young waitress named Mary watched him shuffle toward a table by the window.Mary ran over to him, and said, "Here, Sir. Let me give you a hand with that chair."Without saying a word, he smiled and nodded a thank you. She pulled the chair away from the table. Steadying him with one arm, she helped him move in front of the chair, and get comfortably seated. Then she scooted the table up close to him, and leaned his cane against the table where he could reach it.In a soft, clear voice he said, "Thank you, Miss. And bless you for your kind gestures.""You're welcome, Sir." She replied. "And my name is Mary. I'll be back in a moment, and if you need anything at all in the mean time, just wave at me!"After he had finished a hearty meal of pancakes, bacon, and hot lemon tea, Mary brought him the change from his ticket. He left it lay. She helped him up from his chair, and out from behind the table. She handed him his cane, and walked with him to the front door.Holding the door open for him, she said, "Come back and see us, Sir!"He turned with his whole body, winked a smile, and nodded a thank you. "You are very kind." he said softly.When Mary went to clean his table, she almost fainted. Under his plate she found a business card and a note scribbled on a napkin. Under the napkin was a one hundred dollar bill.The note on the napkin read..."Dear Mary, I respect you very much, and you respect yourself too. It shows by the way you treat others. You have found the secret of happiness. Your kind gestures will shine through those who meet you."The man she had waited on was the owner of the restaurant where she worked. This was the first time that she, or any of his employees had ever seen him in person. 
 Top Comment : Prathibha Dasari   | 06 23 2008 22:27:20 +0000
very nice, very good, excellent,i really liked it a lot.Thanku for sharing
 
11 comments on "The Secret of Happiness "
  Commented by  BISWABHUSHAN BEHERA, Dy. Manager (HR), GAIL (India) Limited    | 10 26 2009 10:50:27 +0000
Wonderful story... 
Very Nice....Liked it a lot....!!!!!
  Commented by  varsha ., Technical manger(QMS)    | 11 03 2008 18:34:53 +0000
wonderfull..
thanks for sharing
  Commented by  Pankaj Mrathia, International Business Development, Binary Semantics    | 08 28 2008 08:25:49 +0000
Really good story.Every body should behave like this
  Commented by  SACHIN SAXENA, Financial Analyst Accenture    | 08 25 2008 03:56:41 +0000
Rating : -1 
try to be happy is neccessary. But i m sure 70% of time we are not happy
  Commented by  Girish Nair, HR & BD Executive, I-Link Software Pvt. Ltd.    | 08 25 2008 02:44:13 +0000
good one...
  Commented by  Abhishek Tiwari, Network Admin/System Admin, STPL INC.    | 08 14 2008 06:32:00 +0000
WOW
  Commented by  Anil Tadmari, Head/VP/GM-Corporate Planning/Strategy, MACCAFERRI    | 08 08 2008 03:31:49 +0000
Rating : +1 
Very good article
  Commented by  sadasivuni ganesh, Marketing Manager, ZODIAC MARKETING CONSULTANCY    | 06 24 2008 01:49:53 +0000
Rating : +1 
Yes, Good article it shows How to respect Elders independent from rich or poor.
  Commented by  Bandi Kanna, Head/VP/GM-Corporate Planning/Strategy Almasa Facility Services LLC    | 06 24 2008 00:21:01 +0000
Rating : +1 
Fantastic Prathibha!!!
Rating : +1 
very nice, very good, excellent,i really liked it a lot.Thanku for sharing 
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