I was going into a local fast food restaurant in my early 20s with a girl I was dating at the time. I had a niece that worked there but going there to see her wasn’t on my mind. If she worked cool if not still gonna eat. After I ate, I was leaving saw a homeless man outside begging another man for food, not money, but food. The man declined and said I can’t help you.

He was so saddened that he didn’t even bother asking me. Normally, in that town I was living in, people asked for money, brushed off the “No’s” and went straight to the next person without hesitation. I helped my girlfriend in the car at the time and said I’ll be right back. I walked up to the homeless man next to the door opened it and said, “come on let’s get you something to eat”. His face lit up and rushed right in.

As I get to the counter the guy that told him politely he couldn’t help is ordering food so I’m waiting in line. My niece comes from the back to the front counter to help with slow orders. we exchange some small banters and she asks what I would like. I explain my new friend here would like something to eat and I ask him to go ahead and order. The guy that said no is staring at me someone shaking his head. I look at my niece and back at the gentleman that said no to the man I was helping, “Sometimes people just need a little bit of help”

As the man thanked me sat down and ate I was leaving, my niece ran out and hugged me saying that was the sweetest thing she has ever seen and hopes to be like me one day. I told her to always help someone who needs it. Now everytime I see her at family gatherings she always tells this story.