A Gift With a Message

by Anastazija
(Skopje, Former Yugoslavian Rebuplic of Macedonia)

This is my story, a story real as you and me, a story that may not be of great importance but it always warms my heart.

About a year ago there was a movie festival in my hometown. Some friends and I were regular visitors on almost every movie projection unlike most of the people here. For every projection the ticket was a very small price (around a 1$ or so).

One day we went to the ticket shop and I was standing last in the queue. A man behind me asked me if I was going to buy a ticket. I said yes and he said "Here, you can have this one, my wife wasn't able to make it so you can use it". I took the ticket and pulled out my wallet to pay him, when he said "No, no, please don't give me money. Just enjoy the movie." And he went away.

I was speechless. It was not a big sum of money in question but the gesture to just give away the ticket for no compensation but the hope that someone else will enjoy it for me was amazing.

This is the most unique gift I have ever gotten. It was not just the ticket but also a message that there are still people out there who care and are always ready to offer their help.

Until this day I keep the ticket. Every time I feel blue I open the box with flowers and there it is. The gift that makes my heart feel warm and hopeful.