One day, I picked up my daughter Eloise from school and went to the supermarket for a few things. I was hoping to be in and out quickly.
I found a short line with just one person in front of me. It was an elderly woman, and she was paying for her things with only change. After a long day at work, I could not stand being kept waiting so long.
But then I watched the young clerk. He helped her count her change, ever so tenderly (温柔地) taking it from her shaking hands. I listened to him repeatedly say to her, "Yes, Ma'am." When she asked if she had enough to buy a bag, he told her she did. Then he went two lines over to get one for her. Never once did this clerk get bored or roll his eyes. He was patient and kind.
As I was watching him, I saw Eloise was watching, too. I realized my daughter was learning an important lesson from a complete stranger.
When the woman was finished, the clerk began ringing up my things and thanked me for my patience. I thanked him, too. I found the manager and told him about the clerk's kindness and patience. Then we left the supermarket with a full cart (购物车), but also with a heart full of thankfulness for such an important lesson.