When a lot of us are hungry, we simply open the fridge or order a pizza.
But not everyone is that fortunate.
Some people don’t have easy access to food, and in dire situations, they might resort to stealing just to satisfy their hunger.
This was the case in a heart-tugging story that went viral.
Jitendra “Jay” Singh, a diligent store owner, was engrossed in his usual back-office tasks when his employee noticed something fishy.
A young man was behaving suspiciously in the store.
The employee’s hunch was right – the CCTV footage revealed the teenager pocketing candies, gum, and other small items before disappearing into a corner of the store.
Confronted by Jay, the teenager was asked to empty his pockets.
The video captured the moment he revealed the stolen items – candies and junk food worth less than $20.
Jay, visibly upset, instructed his employee to call 911.
Meanwhile, a sympathetic customer offered to pay for the items, but Jay had a different plan.
He wanted to understand the boy’s motives and asked him a simple yet profound question: “Why are you stealing?”
The boy then gave an honest answer.
“I’m hungry. I’m stealing it for myself and my younger brother.”
Jay told CBS News that he responded:
“I said you need food? I’ll give you food. That’s not a problem”
He told his employee to cancel the 911 call and decided to have a heart-to-heart with the young man.
What Jay did next resonated with millions.
He filled a bag with substantial food items – sausage rolls, chicken drumsticks, and even pizza.
He didn’t just stop a theft; he extended a helping hand to someone in need.
His actions were a powerful reminder of empathy and kindness.
Jay imparted a crucial lesson to the boy – if you’re hungry, ask for help, don’t resort to stealing.
He emphasized that stealing, especially items like junk food, wouldn’t solve the problem of hunger.
Jay’s approach was not to lecture, but to offer practical help and guidance.
For Jay, getting the boy arrested wasn’t the solution.
He believed that one mistake shouldn’t define a person’s future.
As he explained to USA Today, he saw potential in the young man and chose to offer help instead of punishment, hoping it would inspire him to make better choices.
This act of kindness didn’t go unnoticed.
A fellow customer, Cedric Bishop, was so moved by the incident that he shared it on Facebook and even gave the boy $10.
This story wasn’t just about a boy getting food for himself and his sibling; it was about the lasting impact of Jay’s wise words and the hope they instilled.
Cedric wrote:
“Some young people just need to know that someone cares.”
We all stumble and make choices we regret, choices that could potentially derail our futures.
Meeting someone like Jay Singh, who embodies kindness and compassion, can be a turning point.
Jay’s closing message was a powerful one: “Okay, he did something wrong. At least, give him another chance. Maybe, he will do it right next time.”
Watch the video below to see footage of the beautiful act of kindness!
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