How did you make somebody happy?

[Stinky]

I did it today.
Without thinking.
But it made somebody happy.
Me.
And a little girl.
And her Mum.
Super U and my turn at the caisse.
Filling my bag and giggling with the cashier.
Both of us masked and blind.
Steamed up glasses.
Peering at the readout, aware of a patiently waiting queue, I scrabble for the change to go with the notes.
And drop a coin.
By my feet.
It will be there when I have finished paying and can allow the queue to move forward.
Receipt folded, thank yous said and I look to my dropped coin.
A child stands there.
Dark curly hair, dimples aside of a shy smile.
Serious glasses framing eyes of mischief.
She is beautiful and not a lot taller than my knees.
Top teeth pulling at a nervous bottom lip.
And my Euro held in an outstretched hand.
Trolley pushed slowly to one side, the queue now watching me.
It is no thought, no conscious action.
Kneel to face height and close her fist around the coin.
She still tries to give it to me.
Keep it, a little present.
A whisper of ‘Pour Moi?’ gets a smile and a nod.
‘Pour Moi’ a little louder, then a turn to her Mother and another ‘Pour Moi’.
This time an exclamation.
A look to Mum from me.
Her face masked, but the wrinkles around her eyes betray the smile.
Loading my car, I see her with Mum and she is shouting…’Pour Moi!’
Happiness comes unbidden.

[Blaze]

That's lovely, Stinky - thank you ! A nice gesture which made me smile

[Veem]

Aw, that's lovely Stinky. By coincidence Radio 4 were this morning discussing the results of the 'Happiness Survey' from a while ago.

When I was about 8, I went to Sadlers Wells to watch my first ever ballet. In the interval, my mother bought me the most amazing ice cream. A man sitting behind us clearly watched my delight whilst eating the ice cream, and when I'd finished he bought another and presented it to me. As you can tell, I've treasured that memory and I'm sure that honest little girl who retrieved your euro coin will treasure the moment when you decided she deserved to keep it.