A kindly man helps a frail elderly woman who is struggling to cross the street every day and, to his surprise, she leaves him a valuable legacy after her death.

George Tandy walked over to the subway station every morning at 8:00 am on his way to work. On the way, he went past a lovely old building from the 30s with a doorman and a carpeted walkway.

The pedestrian crossing was about 100 meters down from that building, and that is where he saw Doris Danquist for the first time. Doris was trying to cross the street, but she hesitated, and the cars zoomed past.

George came closer and saw that the old lady was looking anxious and that her eyes were full of tears. “Excuse me?” George said gently. “Are you alright?”

The lady nodded. “I’m fine,” she said. “It’s just… I can’t seem to cross! The cars… They’re so fast! I’m frightened I’ll get run over.”

“Well, how about I help you?” George asked. “You grab onto my arm, and we’ll cross together, OK?”

The woman wiped at her eyes and smiled, and for a second George could see what she had looked like when she was young and spry. “That would be so kind! Thank you!”

George took the woman’s arm and the two crossed the street together. When they reached the other side, the lady gave George a peck on the cheek.

“Thank you, young man!” she said. “What’s your name?”

“I’m George, George Tandy,” he said smiling. “And yours?”

“I’m Doris Danquist. It’s wonderful to meet you,” the lady said. “It’s rare to meet a true gentleman these days. Your wife is a lucky woman!”

George’s smile faded. “My wife passed away a year ago,” he said softly. “It hasn’t been easy…”

“I’m so sorry!” Doris said. “Do you have any children?”

“Yes,” George said. “Three. Two girls and a boy. They are my joy. If it wasn’t for them, my life wouldn’t be worth living.”

“I know how you feel,” Doris said. “I lost my Albert five years ago. My children and grandchildren keep me going.”

“Well, Mrs. Danquist,” George said smiling. “It’s been lovely chatting, but I have to run or I’ll be late for work!” And with a smile and a wave, George ran off to the subway.

Two days later, at the same time, George saw Doris waiting to cross. “Hey, Mrs. Danquist!” he said smiling. “Want to cross with me?”

Doris smiled happily. “George!” she said. “You’re a sight for sore eyes. I’d love to! And please, call me Doris!”

“Listen, Doris,” George said, taking her arm. “I’m here every morning at around this time. If you wait for me, I’ll cross you over!”

“Well,” Doris said. “It’s been a long time since a young man made a date with me, and such a handsome one!”

George laughed. “And I’ve never stepped out with such a shameless, charming flirt!”

From then on, every few days, George and Doris would cross the busy street arm in arm. George ended up confiding in Doris and asking her for parenting advice for his teenage daughters.

“I had to sell the car, and the house” George confessed. “Because of my wife’s medical bills. I can’t drive my daughter to soccer practice, like the other dads. It’s not easy to make them understand…”

“Give them time,” Doris said gently. “They will see how much you love them, and that you’ve always done your best.”

George was comforted by Doris’ gentle wisdom, and his conversations with her became the highlight of his day. Then, for over a week, George didn’t see Doris. He started to worry. Doris visited with her friends at least three times a week. Had something happened to her?

The next morning, George stopped to talk to the doorman of Doris’ building. “Excuse me,” he said. “I’m a friend of Mrs. Danquist’s and I am worried about her. I haven’t seen her for a while…”

“Oh,” the doorman cried, looking very sad. “I’m afraid Mrs. Danquist passed away. It was very sudden.”

George was devastated. “But…” he said. “Last week she was fine!”

The doorman sighed. “It was a big shock for us all, especially the family. By the way, what’s your name?”

“George Tandy,” George said. Why do you ask?”

“Oh,” the doorman said. “Mrs. Danquist’s lawyer asked me if I knew a George Tandy and how to contact him. Apparently, Mrs. Danquist left you a bequest.”

“Me?” gasped George, astounded. “But why?”

When Doris’ lawyer contacted him a few weeks later, George understood. Doris had left him her late husband’s mint-condition Lincoln!

“Mrs. Danquist said that you’d understand,” the lawyer said, as he handed over the keys and the car’s papers to George.

George accepted with tears in his eyes. “I do understand,” he said. “Mrs. Danquist was a wonderful, kind soul!”

What can we learn from this story?

The more we give, the more we receive. If you give generously of yourself, you will be repaid for your kindness a thousand-fold.
We are here to help each other through life’s difficulties. Just as George helped Doris cross the street, she helped him by providing him with the car he needed but couldn’t afford.

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