Two years ago, I was sitting in my car waiting in a long line for a toll (通行费) station. When I finally reached the station, the toll station worker told me that the person in front had paid for me and I was free to go. I was so shocked. I didn't need to save the 5 dollars. I would never know who he was. I was tired by the heavy traffic and the long line, and that behavior was surprising and unbelievable, which really touched my heart. So I decided to pay for the next car waiting in line.
The first time I tried to pay forward the toll, I kept looking into my rear view mirror (后视镜) to see who I'd be paying for. In the mirror, I saw a tired looking taxi driver. And I felt satisfied that my money would be going to a good place. But before we got to the toll station, the taxi driver had suddenly changed his way and now there was someone else behind me. She looked upset and was gesturing (举止) angrily in a conversation with her friend. I wasn't willing to be paying for a woman like that and was certainly judging her by what I was seeing in the mirror. Anyway, I paid the toll for both of us and left.
Thirty seconds later I was surprised to hear a honk (鸣笛声). It was the woman and her friend waving at me from the other way! She looked cheerful and happy. She wasn't what I thought she was like. This was a valuable lesson that I shouldn't judge people so quickly…After all, I don't know their stories.
