One day, a poor boy who was trying to pay his way through school by selling goods door to door found that he only had one dime1 left. He was hungry so he decided2 to beg for a meal at the next house.
However, he lost his nerve3 when a lovely young woman opened the door. Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so she brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it slowly, and then asked, How much do I owe you
You dont owe me anything, she replied. Mother has taught me never to accept pay for a kindness. He said, Then I thank you from the bottom of my heart. As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically4, but it also increased his faith in God and the human race. He was about to give up and quit before this point.
Years later the young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled5. They finally sent her to the big city, where specialists can be called in to study her rare disease6. Dr. Howard Kelly, now famous was called in for the consultation7. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes. Immediately, he rose and went down through the hospital hall into her room.
Dressed in his doctors gown8 he went in to see her. He recognized her at once. He went back to the consultation room and determined9 to do his best to save her life. From that day on, he gave special attention to her case.
After a long struggle, the battle was won. Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval10. He looked at it and then wrote something on the side. The bill was sent to her room. She was afraid to open it because she was positive that it would take the rest of her life to pay it off. Finally she looked, and the note on the side of the bill caught her attention. She read these words...
Paid in full with a glass of milk.
Dr. Howard Kelly
Tears of joy flooded her eyes as she prayed silently: Thank You, God. Your love has spread through human hearts and hands.
