[00:07.68]The old man shuffled slowly into the restaurant.
[00:11.40]With head tilted, and shoulders bent forward,
[00:14.66]he leaned on his trusty cane with each unhurried step.
[00:18.95]His tattered cloth jacket, patched trousers, worn out shoes,
[00:23.98]and warm personality made him stand out
[00:27.28]from the usual Saturday morning breakfast crowd.
[00:30.22]Unforgettable were his pale blue eyes that sparkled like diamonds, large rosy cheeks,
[00:35.91]and thin lips held in a tight, steady smile.
[00:40.73]A young waitress named Mary watched him shuffle toward a table
[00:45.25]by the window and ran over to him.
[00:47.74]She said, “Here, Sir. Let me give you a hand with that chair.”
[00:52.33]Without saying a word, he smiled and nodded a thank you.
[00:57.47]She pulled the chair away from the table.
[01:00.86]Steadying him with one arm, she helped him move in front of the chair,
[01:05.41]and get comfortably seated.
[01:07.43]Then she scooted the table up close to him,
[01:10.67]and leaned his cane against the table where he could reach it.
[01:14.21]In a soft, clear voice he said, “Thank you for your kind gestures, Miss.”
[01:21.10]“You’re welcome, Sir.” She replied.
[01:23.63]“And my name is Mary. I'll be back in a moment,
[01:27.15]and if you need anything at all in the mean time, just wave at me!”
[01:30.84]After he had finished a hearty meal,
[01:34.48]Mary brought him the change from his ticket.
[01:37.19]He left it on the table. She helped him up from his chair,
[01:41.80]and out from behind the table.
[01:43.54]She handed him his cane, and walked with him to the front door.
[01:47.70]Holding the door open for him, she said, “Come back and see us, Sir!”
[01:53.49]He turned with his whole body, winked a smile, and nodded a thank you.
[01:59.18]“You are very kind.” he said softly.
[02:02.68]When Mary went to clean his table, she almost fainted.
[02:07.38]Under his plate she found a business card, and a note scribbled on a napkin.
[02:13.51]Under the napkin was a one hundred dollar bill.
[02:17.34]The note on the napkin read...
[02:20.08]“Dear Mary, I respect you very much, and you respect yourself too.
[02:25.76]It shows by the way you treat others.
[02:28.72]You have found the secret of happiness.
[02:31.57]Your kind gestures will shine through those who meet you.”
[02:35.50]The man happened to be the right owner of the restaurant where she worked.
[02:40.76]This was the first time that she or any of his employees had ever seen him in person.
