During a sudden downpour, Linda—an elderly woman on her way to dinner—found herself soaked without an umbrella. Her usually neat hair and outfit were ruined by the rain, so she sought shelter at a renowned cafe known for its upscale clientele. However, upon her arrival, a porter stopped her at the door, insisting that a reservation was required and remarking, rather rudely, that she didn’t seem like the type who could afford to dine there. Offended, Linda asked for the manager, but instead of offering help, he echoed the porter’s disparaging tone and ordered her to leave, arguing that her disheveled appearance might scare off the hundreds of guests already inside.
Linda pleaded that she only needed a place to wait until the rain subsided and promised she would order something, but manager Simon remained unmoved. Defeated, she walked away to find another refuge.
The next day, when Simon arrived at work, the cafe owner was already there and informed him that a very important couple was expected that day—potential buyers for the cafe. The owner emphasized that everything had to be perfect. As the evening unfolded, the owner introduced Simon to the couple, praising him as a kind, attentive, and excellent manager. To Simon’s shock, the woman smiling warmly at him was none other than Linda, the very person he had dismissed just a day before.
Linda then revealed that she and her husband had decided to purchase the cafe, and over the following day, they visited to observe the daily operations and meet the staff. When Linda finally spoke with Simon again, she informed him that due to his unkind treatment of her, she and her husband had decided to demote him from his managerial role to that of a waiter. Although Simon felt humiliated by the decision, he accepted the new position rather than risk losing his job entirely.
A few days later, another elderly woman—this time of modest means—entered the cafe, ordered a simple meal, and when it was time to pay, admitted that she had forgotten her wallet. Offering to work off the bill, she was met with Simon’s gentle reassurance as he covered her tab. Simon explained that he believed in supporting one another, a lesson he had learned firsthand when the cafe’s new owners gave him a second chance. His hope was to live by the principle that kindness and good karma eventually reward those who show compassion.
This entire episode serves as a reminder to treat others with respect, as harsh actions can ultimately come back to us.