A New Path Forward
Maria knew she couldn’t walk out of the shop with the money she had hoped for, but something inside her felt lighter. As she turned to leave, the shopkeeper called out, “Wait.” She paused, turning back to him with questioning eyes. He reached beneath the counter and pulled out a small envelope, handing it to her. “It’s not much,” he said, “but I believe you came here for a reason. Consider this a gesture of goodwill—for doing the right thing.”
A New Path Forward
A Humble Gift
Maria hesitated before taking the envelope. Inside, she found a modest sum of money—nowhere near what she had expected to get from selling the ring, but enough to help her get by for a little while longer. “Thank you,” she said, feeling a surge of gratitude. “You didn’t have to do this.” The shopkeeper smiled, his eyes kind. “Sometimes doing the right thing brings its own rewards. Take care of yourself, Maria. And if you ever need help, you know where to find me.”
A Humble Gift
