Kelly was a poor boy. While he was hungry, he was given a glass of milk by a kind young woman. Years later Kelly grew and became a doctor. when that woman fell ill, Dr. Kelly treated her and famously wrote on woman's bill, "Paid in full with one glass of milk" to repay her kindness.
This act highlights the enduring power of kindness and gratitude. A small gesture from the past came back to the woman in a profound way.
The Story Unfolds: The boy's plight: A poor boy, later identified as Howard Kelly, was selling goods to pay for his education and stopped at a house, hungry and asking for food or water.
A woman's compassion: A young woman at the house gave him a large glass of milk instead of just water, showing him great kindness.
A life-saving encounter: Years later, the same woman became critically ill.
The boy's repayment: The now-famous Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the case, recognized the woman from his childhood, and saved her life after a lengthy struggle.
The famous bill: When he was approving the bill, Dr. Kelly inscribed the words, "Paid in full with one glass of milk" to mark the repayment of the original act of kindness.
The Story's Significance
Kindness Matters:
The story emphasizes that even a small, selfless act of kindness can have a significant and lasting impact.
Gratitude and Reciprocity:
It demonstrates the principle of paying it forward and how good deeds can return to us in unexpected ways.
Enduring Legacy:
The anecdote has become a classic example of compassion and the positive ripple effect of humane actions.
One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry. He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door.
Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it slowly, and then asked, “How much do I owe you?”
“You don’t owe me anything,” she replied. “Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness.”
He said, “Then I thank you from my heart.”
As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit.
Years later that young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease. Dr Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes.
Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room. Dressed in his doctor’s gown he went in to see her. He recognized her at once. He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to the case.
After a long struggle, the battle was won. Dr Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Something caught her attention on the side of the bill, and she read the following words:
“Paid in full with one glass of milk”
Signed,
Dr Howard Kelly
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