One day, a sudden downpour left an elderly woman completely soaked. On her way to dinner without an umbrella, Linda’s well-kept hair and neat clothes were ruined by the rain. Desperate for shelter, she headed to a renowned cafe known for its upscale clientele. However, as soon as she reached the entrance, a porter blocked her path.
“Ma’am, this is an exclusive establishment. You need a reservation to come in,” he said while scrutinizing her appearance, adding under his breath that it seemed she couldn’t even afford to dine there. Offended, Linda asked for the restaurant manager. Instead of showing any sympathy, the manager—whose nameplate read “Simon”—reiterated the porter’s sentiments.
“Ma’am, we’re currently hosting over a hundred guests. We can’t waste time here, so I must ask you to leave,” Simon told her firmly.
Linda pleaded, “I just need a place to wait until the rain stops. I’ll even order something.” But Simon insisted, “I can’t let you in looking like that—you’ll scare away all our guests.” With no other option, she left in search of another refuge.
The very next day, Simon arrived at work to find the cafe owner already there. The owner called him over immediately and explained, “Today is very important. We have an esteemed guest arriving along with his wife—potential buyers of this cafe. Everything must be flawless.” Simon promptly briefed the waitstaff, ensuring that every detail was perfect for the VIPs.
Later that evening, the owner summoned Simon to his table and introduced him with pride, “Allow me to introduce our manager—he’s a vital part of our team. He’s not only skilled at his job but also kind, sensitive, and extremely helpful.” At that moment, Linda, sitting at the table with a smile, remarked, “Very nice indeed. I can see he’s exactly as you described.” Simon’s face turned pale as he realized that the woman he had so rudely turned away the previous night was none other than Linda. Without missing a beat, she added to the owner, “You run a fantastic restaurant with such a lovely staff. My husband and I are delighted to buy this cafe.”
The following day, Linda and her husband visited to observe the daily operations and meet the staff. When Linda saw Simon, she informed him, “My husband and I have decided to demote you to a waiter. We believe your treatment of me the other night was completely unacceptable.” Immediately, Simon was handed an apron and a tray and forced to work as a waiter. Although deeply humiliated, he continued working, not wanting to lose his job entirely.
A few days later, a destitute woman entered the cafe, ordered a sandwich and hot tea, and when it came time to pay, she realized she’d forgotten her wallet. Apologizing profusely, she offered to wash dishes or clean the cafe in exchange for the bill. Simon kindly responded, “Don’t worry, ma’am—I’ll cover your tab today.” After she thanked him, he added, “It’s no trouble. We should all help each other out. A few days ago, the new owner gave me a second chance because of her kindness, and I strive to be like her. I truly believe in karma.” The woman then remarked, “I think you might be promoted back to manager.” Simon was taken aback by her insight—until Linda approached the table.
“This woman is my friend. I wanted to see if you had learned your lesson, and I’m happy to say you have. You can resume your managerial duties immediately,” Linda announced, giving him an encouraging pat on the back.
Overjoyed, Simon was grateful for this second chance. From that day forward, he went to work with a smile, devoting himself to both his team and the customers. His renewed confidence and dedication played a big part in the cafe’s growing success.