It’s not unusual for a young person to come into our dollar store clutching a $1 bill as if it were the most precious thing in the world, and to some of those kids it really is.They have saved their allowance until it adds up, and then they can’t wait to see what it will buy. I have seen them spend up to 30 minutes touching and feeling just about everything in the store, until they find just the right toy and often times a special gift for their mom or dad.Today was a little different.A young man about 9 or 10 years old showed up at the counter with a package containing a small plastic airplane (assembly required). He unfolded the dollar and placed it on top of the package. He never took his eye off the airplane, as if to say, “I just can’t wait to get this thing home and put it together.”I said to him, “Do you have a nickel to go with that dollar for tax?” He looked as if the props had just been pulled out from under him. He said, “No, this is all I have.” I said, “Let me see what I can do,” and reached across the counter for a dish where we keep extra pennies.At the same time there was an older gentleman browsing my figurine rack a few feet away. He had overheard the conversation. The man rushed to the counter with a sense of urgency, and took a nickel out of his pocket and gave it to the young boy, whom he didn’t know.The young boy’s eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. The older gentleman started to leave the store without making a purchase. I thanked him for coming in and for demonstrating his random act of kindness. I was so impressed I told him that we may declare Oct. 7 “Falcon Random Act of Kindness Day” because of what he had done. “I think that’s great but don’t give me the credit, and I certainly do not want my picture taken,” he said. He then disappeared toward the parking lot.Three people were rewarded today, one for receiving, one for giving and one for learning a very important lesson. What a concept!Dennis CuchiaraOwner, One Dollar Please, Falcon
