A Kind Act

It was late and raining hard as I pulled into a Convenient store, close to where I work. I was finishing my shift, and as I was pulling in the parking lot, I noticed an elderly man with a bag strung over his shoulder. As I got out of my vehicle, I noticed he bent over to pick something up. As I approached, I realized he had picked up a twenty dollar bill. He found it right by the entrance of the store. He walked in and told the clerk, "Here, please put this 20 dollars in the Veteran donation box" The clerk said thank you, and he walked out into the night, in the pouring rain. I was so impressed by this older gentleman. Such a kind act, he had shown. I thought to myself, there is still hope in humanity. Caring, giving people still exists. I noticed that he didnt buy anything when he went into the convenient store. My eyes were fixated on him as I was walking out and I noticed he did not get into a car but was walking on the main road getting soaked. I pulled over and I asked him if he was all right, and if he needed a lift. He looked at me and said, "Young man, I missed the bus, and I live twenty five miles away" I said, "Jump in" He said," I dont have any money, I cant pay you" I said, "Thats Ok" He said, "Are you Sure?" I said, "Yes Sir" We headed down the highway in the pouring rain. I introduced myself and he said his name was Art. I said, "Art, I saw what you did back at the store, and it was such a Kind Act" I noticed you didnt get anything at the store." To my surprise he said, " I didnt have any money." The wheels started turning in my head. I thought this man found twenty dollars, and gave it away, leaving himself penniless. He said, "Im a Veteran and there are Veterans that needed it more than I do." I asked him, "Art why were you going into the store?" He said," I missed the bus and I was going to wait there all night till the morning, to catch it, I have a bus pass." I asked him, Art have you eaten?" He said, "No" I turned around, and started back to the Convenient store. He said, "You dont have to do that." I said to him that it is the least I can do for a Veteran that puts his brothers first, before himself. He looked up at me and the tears, were rolling down his face. Art and I walked in and I bought him a black coffee and a sandwich. We got back in the car and Art told me his life story. I told him if he ever needed anything to call me. He thanked me again, and I said to him." God bless you Art." He looked at me and said,"He does"