Fuel for Thought

A generous soul

Karla set the purse down on the hood of her car at the gas station. The car’s paint was peeling, but the car ran well and was paid for. She was sure she had just enough money for two gallons of gas, that is, until payday in two days. After her husband left her with the three kids to raise on her own, every penny counted. She bent over to pick up loose change that fell to the ground.

Out came the loose change and the single bills.

On the other side of the same pump was a man who was about to place his pump back into the cradle. He saw Karla counting the money and figured out what was going on. With her back turned away, he stretched the pump hose over to her car, took off her gas cap and began pumping. He glanced at his pump as he got into his car and the total was still being charged to his credit card. Before she had finished counting her money, he pulled away.

The cutoff click of the finished pump startled Karla and she turned around. She gathered her money, approached the open fuel door, removed the hose and put the gas cap back on before returning the hose to the opposite side of the pump. Karla stopped and looked around, puzzled, stunned actually.

Who had done this?

She put her forearms on the top of the pump and rested her forehead there. The tears flowed easily amidst the heaving sighs.

The road she was traveling was a long one. But in the end, it would be worth it, especially when complete strangers helped to ease her burden.

One day in the not-too-distant future she’d be able to return the kindness, and it would be just as rewarding, probably more so.

But just not today.