Jacob lost his first stable job in a while just because he chose to help an older woman that morning. He didn’t expect the sweet, helpless old woman to have a whole other side – that would end up getting him his job back.
You had to think like Jacob if you were going to make it through the mountain of challenges in your life without becoming bitter about them.
Jacob occupied a small, uncluttered flat by himself and always left it half-empty. That’s because he reasoned that it would all get untidy again the next day.
Jacob owned two shirts, the fabric around the collars of which was an unwhite color that would not come out with the finest detergent.
However, it made no difference because each workplace he worked at had its unique uniform.
He considered himself somewhat of a Renaissance man; in the previous year alone, he had held jobs as a ticket taker, a shampooer, a plumber, a parking lot attendant, and, unbeknownst to everyone, a backup dancer for a music video.
Jacob had finally secured a permanent employment in the town since last month. The neighborhood’s oldest grocery store employed him as an attendant. In addition to being eager to add a new outfit to his rucksack, he thought this one looked great.
It was a really chirpy morning for him. Making his bed and leaving his room cleaner than usual made him feel good about himself. He’d practiced the ideal opening line with Rita, the cashier, and planned his morning arrival at the store five minutes ahead of his shift.
“Finally, a good day!” Saying aloud, Jacob nodded at strangers as they walked past.
An elderly woman grinned back just as enthusiastically, which made Jacob even happier.
However, a moment after they came into contact, Jacob heard a thump and then a voice filled with frustration.
“Now, isn’t this fantastic! $2 for a paper bag that isn’t even big enough to carry groceries for ten minutes.”
When Jacob turned around, the woman who had been grinning at him moments before was still there. This time, though, she was stumbling under her breath, straining to carry a broken grocery bag full of groceries while attempting to chase the rolling apples and potatoes along the pavement.
“Move it along, lady!” The elderly woman was shoved aside and a stranger rushed forward.
“Well, isn’t that a lovely attitude to live with?” Jacob talked loud enough for the outsider to hear him.
He said to the woman, “I have just the thing to help you, ma’am,” and took out two folded cloth bags from his knapsack.
“All right! Now, as I pack these items for you, kindly step aside and let all of your anger go.”
The woman was charmed by the strange man’s upbeat demeanor and encouraged by his compassion.
“Thank you so much for helping this oldie out, Mr…”
Alright, just give me Jacob. You’re very welcome, too. I genuinely make a life off of what I did for you these days. At the Freshmart store, I work.”
“You do, huh? I apologize, but I still think their paper bags are terrible. Too delicate!”
“I couldn’t agree more, ma’am.”
“Oh, please, call me Stacy.”
Stacy and Jacob had gone all the way to her house before they realized it since their discussion had flowed so well. Without her even asking, Jacob had offered to carry the groceries for her.
Jacob, this is so kind of you. Let me make you some coffee; come on in.”
“Oh no, thank you, ma’am. I’m running late for work today. I hope to see you around.
Even though Jacob was running as quickly as he could, his old, blistered sneakers were holding him back.
He was gasping and puffing when he finally made it to the store, where a furious owner was waiting with his sleeves pulled up.
“What time does your shift start?” The man’s words matched his sour expression on the face.
“12 noon, sir.”
“And what is the time now?” The proprietor of the store had spoken up.
“12:10 p.m., sir.”
“So what does that say about you?” The boss was starting to get used to this type of questioning.
“That I’m…late?”
The man balled his fists and shouted, “That you are UNPROFESSIONAL!”
“Sir, with all due respect. Although I may be many things, I’m not—”
The proprietor of the store was not going to back down from an argument. Not before a crowded shop. “You! Leave now! You’ve got the boot! You are the kind of lazy person I don’t want working at my store.”
Jacob’s expression lost its composure. He was aware that he couldn’t afford to lose this position.
“Please say no, sir. This morning, I really left my house earlier than normal. On the way, though, was an elderly woman in need of assistance. The handle of the grocery bag she was carrying broke, spilling all of her belongings over the sidewalk. I simply…”
“Well, so your choice of excuse is kindness, is that right? incredibly creative That makes no difference. You can assist people carrying their groceries by standing on the sidewalk. Save me the money and time.
“But, sir—”
“Preserve it. Put that silly, happy smile back on your face and leave my store!”
Thinking to himself, “Another missed opportunity,” Jacob stood in front of the store and lit a cigarette. “Why am I unable to maintain a single job?” Why am I unable to appear to turn my life around? Perhaps my father was correct. I am a terrible person.
“Hello, Jacob! I was hoped you would be here.”
With a hollow smile, Jacob nodded and extinguished his cigarette. It was Stacy, the elderly woman from before.
“I brought you a fresh batch of cakes from the apples you helped me salvage this morning.”
Jacob was touched by Stacy’s thoughtful action.
“Enter now. Plenty for you and every one of your coworkers.”
Jacob’s face darkened once again.
“What’s the matter?” It worried Stacy.
“I was just let go. I was ten minutes late, so the owner of the store sent me out. I explained my tardiness to him, but it didn’t seem to matter.”
“What? You were fired by Arnold?”
When the woman mentioned his supervisor, Jacob was taken aback.
“You know my boss?”
This world needs more love; do all you can to defend it.
“I do, of course! With his fury perpetually on the tip of his nose, he can be a genuine pain at times. However, this is not finished.” Stacy sounded like a mean old lady suddenly turned fierce teacher.
“Arnold? Arnold!” Stacy’s high-pitched voice and brisk gait caused quite a stir. Jacob made an effort to trail as far as possible.
“Hello, Aunt Stacy! How may I assist you right now?” When Arnold saw her again that day, he was taken aback.
“Oh, don’t give me that!” Blurted impatiently, Stacy.
“Did you fire this young man for being late today?” Stacy gestured to Jacob, who was attempting to avoid making eye contact with his former boss.
“I do not comprehend. What is your method?
“Did he not tell me he was assisting an elderly woman on the street? Arnold, you guessed right—who was that woman? Me!”
Customers were also invested, and store staff had stopped working in the middle of things.
“I have been alerting Cindy about her boy’s out-of-control behavior. After neglecting to contact her for two weeks in a row, claiming to be constantly busy, and forgetting your mother’s 70th birthday, what’s happening now? Arnie, are you occupied with this? dictating to others and sacking them for any hint of compassion? Arnie, do you even still know what kindness is? Is this the person you’ve become as an adult? I don’t think this is the same boy that I raised with my friend.
“Alright, alright, aunt Stacy!” Arnold cut me off.
“I didn’t realize he was assisting you. Besides, it was not supposed to have mattered. Simply said, I’ve been under so much stress at work that II vented my frustrations to this kind-hearted fellow. I didn’t do it correctly. I understand that now.”
“Are you certain you have? Since I’m willing to instruct you for an additional hour if necessary.” To the amusement of the crew, Arnold held her and begged her to calm down.
“Jacob, I’m sorry for my behavior earlier. That previous job of yours is yours again. Actually, I’m going to check your pay as well. You have a lot more work experience, so you should be paid more than I am. Let me take care of things this coming week. Would you kindly return for the time being?”
Jacob stood transfixed, directly in front of the frozen food aisle. He was in shock at what had transpired and that a kind elderly woman had managed to persuade his employer to rehire him.
“Well, don’t just stand there, Jacob!” Stacy gave Jacob passionate instruction. “Resume your work! Give these cakes to each and every person as the first thing on your list. They’re growing chilly.”
What lessons may we draw from this tale?
A book shouldn’t be judged by its cover. Stacy’s influence over Jacob’s supervisor was unexpected, let alone the fact that she helped him regain his job.
This world needs more love; do all you can to defend it. More Stacys, where we would honor others’ good deeds and support them in their hour of need, would be greatly appreciated by the globe.
