Souped Up Kindness

(I’m a university student struggling through my busiest day of the week on little sleep when I decide to get some lunch. I stop at a cafe on campus, planning on getting some soup since it’s cold outside.)

Cafe Worker: “I’m afraid we’re out of soup today.”

Me: “Oh, um, I guess I’ll have [sandwich], then.”

(I go to pay and realize I don’t have very much money on me, which adds to my already growing stress levels.)

Me: *exhausted and near tears* “I’m so sorry; I was only planning on getting soup so I’m short money for the sandwich. I can run back to my dorm; I think I have time.”

Cafe Worker: *shakes head and smiles* “So that’s one small soup. Your total is [total]. Have a great day.”

(I’ve since graduated but I haven’t forgotten the small act of kindness that helped an exhausted and very stressed out student get through the rest of that day.)