In our community, there is a large pharmacy that is part of a national chain. It is always full of customers, as they carry most medicines at a cheaper price. I was in there one day to buy something for my cough, and while I was waiting in line, I couldn't help but overhear a woman who was ahead of me. She had a baby in her arms, a toddler clinging to her skirt, and two more young children playing around her.

It seemed that the woman wanted medicines for her sick child who was left at home. Unfortunately, it cost way more than the money she brought. The pharmacy assistant told her that they don't allow credit. The woman was trying to convince her that she did not really ask for a credit. Her husband will be home late that night and she will be back the next day to give the balance. She just needed the medicine that night for her daughter.

The pharmacy assistant was very apologetic, but she said that their company has a very strict policy against it. She could not do anything, as it could cost her the job.

Dejected and teary-eyed, the woman was about to turn away when a customer asked her to wait. He asked for the price of one capsule of the medicine needed by the woman. When the pharmacy assistant told him, he put down money enough for 10 pieces. Hearing him, another man also gave money to the pharmacy assistant for an additional 10 capsules. Before I knew it, one customer after another offered their help, leaving the woman too stunned to react to her good fortune.

When the woman finally came out of the pharmacy, she did not only have two weeks' worth of medicine for her child, she also had two bottles of children's vitamins, and several boxes of milk. She was still teary eyed, but not out of despair this time, but out of gratitude for the unexpected kindness of strangers that came her way.