An old man walked slowly into a restaurant with his cane (拐杖). His old jacket and shoes made him unusual that day.
A young waitress named Mary watched him move towards a table by the window. She ran over to him, and said with a smile, "Here, sir. Let me give you a hand. " Without saying a word, he gave her a smile. She pulled the chair away from the table and helped him sit down. Then she put his cane against the table so that he could reach it. In a soft, clear voice, he said,"Thank you, miss. "
"You're welcome, sir, "she replied. "I will be back in a moment, and if you need anything,just wave at me! "
After he had finished a good meal. Mary brought him the change. She handed him his cane, and walked with him to the front door. Holding the door open for him, she said, " Come back and see us, sir! "The old man turned around and smiled.
When Mary went to clean his table, she was shocked. Under the plate, she found a business card, a 100—dollar bill and a note. The note said, "Dear Mary, I respect you very much, and you respect yourself, too. It shows the way you treat others. You have found the secret of happiness. "
In fact, the old man was the owner of the restaurant. That was the first time that she, or any of his waitresses, had seen him.
