I saw a young man, perhaps age 11 or so, filling the air in his bicycle tires. I turned off my engine and waited. I couldn't be sure, but it seemed he rushed when he saw I was waiting.
Now this young man, and I do mean man, had no idea that as an older woman--it's been several decades since I've put air in my tires. I am not helpless, but was feeling a bit of anxiety with my squishy tires and not remembering how to put air in tires.
I attempted to put air in the first tire and had totally forgotten about the young man. But he was at a distance watching me, apparently. He yelled, "Do you need some help?"
I told him, embarrassingly enough, I probably did. No matter how I positioned the thing, no air seemed to be getting in.
He assessed the situation and asked me if I had a tire gauge, since the air machine didn't have one. I said no. He said he'd be glad to run into the gas station and buy one. I was so stunned that a stranger would offer that. I told him I would do it. I walked a few yards, turned around and asked, "What is your favorite snack?" It was his turn to be stunned. He hesitated for a moment. Now, sadly, in today's age--even though I am decent with everyone, especially animals and children, it's strange for a stranger adult to buy candy for a child. That's why I intentionally used the word: Snack.
That wasn't why he hesitated though. He was just surprised someone wanted to return a kindness.
"Skittles," he said, when I made clear by my facial expression I wanted to show appreciation.
I got the gauge and the Skittles.
He thanked me profusely for the Skittles and I said,"You are a kind man, a kind young man, and you deserve Skittles and much more in this life."
He got busy filling my tire to the exact correct pressure, and gently instructed me on how it all worked. It came back to me, and I was confident I could do the other tire, even though he kept asking if I had another tire that needed air.
I told him I think I remembered now. But this young man took off, but stayed close enough on his bike to make sure I got it. And I had forgotten my glasses, and couldn't read the gauge anyway. So, it turns out I did need his help again.
I was pretty embarrassed, but this young man showed no impatience or even a hint of contempt that someone would forget their glasses and forget about tire gauges and such. He said the second tire has almost zero air and was happy when he got it exactly right, once again.
He complimented my car. I asked him what kind of car he would have someday, when he could. "A Toyota. I like Toyotas!"
He was still on his bike watching me, eating his Skittles, as I pulled away. "Thanks again for the Skittles!"
"No, thank YOU."
This kid has a servant's heart. He was so thrilled to get the tire pressure just right. I'll probably never see this kid again--but I imagine he will grow up and be a huge asset to his employer. And if he decides to be a family man--an even bigger asset to the world.
No, where there is such kindness, delight in helping others and doing a thing right--I am not too worried about the younger generation.
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