A Special Meal

The story was a true one and still moved me deeply.

Thirty years ago, I got to know a poor lady named Rose. She had no kids and lived alone.

When I went to visit her, I always took Rose some coffee and food. One day she said she was inviting me to have lunch.

We walked from my workplace to a little restaurant on David Street.

On the way, I began to worry: I knew she had no money, but if I offered to pay for the lunch, I was afraid I would hurt her.

There were many people in the restaurant and all of them were happy.

Rose told me to sit and drink coffee by the window. Then she went to work in the kitchen.

After about 20 minutes, she came out and sat with me. She just paid for one meal and we started to enjoy the delicious food together.

She told me that the restaurant let people work for a meal if they had no money, or would give them a free meal if they were not able to work.

To my surprise, she also explained that the workers who were working there were all volunteers.

I still remember the beautiful afternoon I shared with Rose. Though we had a meal together only once, it was paid by Rose's work.

The weather was warm and bright, and everyone's smile was warm and bright as well.

I'm still thinking that life cannot be easy to us, but we can still do something for our friends and neighbors.

The world will be nicer if everybody would like to share happiness with others.

It will never be dark if there is a light in everyone's heart.