Once upon a time, there was a man who was a bit rushed and barely saw the lady on a car, stranded on the roadside, but he realized she needed help.

vHe stopped his car and approached her. The lady's car was new, however, presented problems. She was worried, even when she saw the man’s big smile stamped on the face.

         No one had stopped to help during the last hour. What is this person’s intention? She thought. He noticed she was feeling very afraid and said:

         I'm only here to help, ma'am. You can wait inside the car as its warmer there. My name is Bryan, by the way.

         It was just a flat tire for him, but for the lady that was a huge problem.

         Bryan leaned over, placed the car jack and lifted the vehicle. The tire was changed soon later. He was somewhat dirty and one of his hands was hurt.

         The lady opened the window and began talking to him, as he was tightening the cars lug nuts. She said she was passing by there but actually lived in another city. She didn’t know how to thank him for his precious help.

         Bryan just smiled to her, once he stood up. She asked how much she owed him. Any amount would have been very little for her. She already imagined all the awful things that could have happened had he not stopped to help her.

         However, Bryan didn’t want any money. This was not a job for him. He liked to help when someone was in need and God has helped him a lot already. That was his way of living and never occurred to him to do otherwise.

         If you really want to pay me back, Bryan said, next time you find someone who needs help, give them the help they need. He added: And remember me.

         He waited until she started her car and then went home. That was a cold and gray day.

         A few miles down the road, the lady found a small restaurant. She decided to go there to eat something. It wasn’t a very clean restaurant, like the ones she was used to go to. The waitress came up to her and brought a clean towel that could slightly dry her wet hair. She also offered a big smile at the lady.

         She noted that the waitress was approaching her last weeks of pregnancy. Even then, she didn’t let the strain and aches change her attitude. The old lady wondered how someone who had so little could be so giving to a stranger. She remembered Bryan.

         She finished her meal, got the bill and left a hundred dollar note for payment. Once the girl sought the change for her, she left the restaurant.

         The waitress came back and tried to find the customer but only found something written on the napkin, under which were four notes of a hundred dollars each. She had tears in her eyes when she read what was written. The note read as follows:

         You don’t owe me anything, I already have enough. Someone helped me today, just the way I'm helping you. If you really want to pay me back, don’t let this chain of love end in you.

         The waitress still had much work to do on that night. She had tables to clear, sugar bowls to fill and people to serve.

         When she went home, she lay down beside her husband. She thought about the money and what the lady had written. How could the lady have known how much she and her husband needed money? They had their baby due next month!

         Her husband was sleeping quietly beside her. She turned to him, gave him a kiss and whispered:

         Everything will be alright, Bryan. I love you.

From ‘Redação do Momento Espírita’, based on an unknown tale.

13.11.2010.