A cold-hearted landlord gave a woman an eviction notice because she couldn’t pay her rent. But when he went to his sister’s house for dinner, he was shocked to see her there.
Life is tough, and it’s even worse when the people around us have no compassion. Diane Salinger knew what tough times were like. At sixty-two, she had faced more bad days than good and shed many tears.
But Diane wasn’t someone who gave up easily. Whenever life knocked her down, she got back up, ready to fight again. She lost her husband three years ago, and then a tornado destroyed her home. Still, she started over once more.
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She used her savings to buy a small grocery store in a nice town in Michigan. It was perfect for her—big enough to enjoy exotic items she wanted to sell, but small enough to feel cozy.
The town may have been cozy, but Diane’s landlord, Chris Turkle, wasn’t. Diane rented a small apartment from Chris that was close to her store.
When times are tough, people should help each other. Diane was the perfect tenant. She was quiet, respectful, and always paid her rent on time. Then one month, she came up short.
Chris counted the money from her envelope and waved it in her face. “You’re $120 short, Mrs. Salinger.”
Diane blushed. “As I explained, Mr. Turkle, with so many businesses struggling during Covid, I extended credit to some families in need. This month I’m a bit short. I’ll pay the $120 in two weeks.”
“If you want to play Mother Teresa, that’s your problem,” Chris snapped. “I’m a businessman, not a charity! I want you out by the end of the week!”
“But Mr. Turkle,” Diane pleaded. “It’s just one week, and I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
“It happened once, and that’s enough. You’re out,” Chris said coldly as he walked away. He felt justified. Diane’s grocery store seemed busy, with people constantly coming in and out with full shopping bags. “Short on cash? Yeah, right,” Chris thought. “She’s just taking advantage.”
Chris went home to get ready for dinner at his sister Vanessa’s house. He often worried about her. She was a single mom, working two jobs to support herself and her 16-year-old son. Chris had offered her son a weekend job, but Vanessa always refused, saying, “It’s okay, Chris. I’ll manage.” But Chris had noticed she looked tired and worn out.
Since it was his nephew’s birthday, Chris tucked $20 in an envelope, put it in his jacket, and walked to Vanessa’s house.
Vanessa greeted him with a smile. She seemed more relaxed than usual, and the house smelled delicious. “Hey!” he said, giving her a kiss on the cheek. “Where’s the birthday boy?”
“Playing video games with Diane,” Vanessa smiled. “Come on in!” She called up the stairs, “Joss, Diane, time for dinner!”
To Chris’ shock, in walked Mrs. Salinger—the tenant he had just evicted! She seemed to get along well with his sister and nephew. Diane looked surprised but stayed calm.
“Hello,” she said with a smile. “I didn’t know you were Vanessa’s brother.”
Chris blushed. “Yes, she’s my younger sister.”
“Everyone, come on! The roast is ready,” Vanessa called.
“Roast!” Joss exclaimed. “That’s my favorite! But mom, I thought you didn’t get paid until next week. How did you afford this?”
Diane smiled at Joss and patted his hand. “Don’t worry about that,” she said. “Your mom’s credit is good with me. Now, let’s eat!”
Chris leaned in and asked quietly, “Is Vanessa the person you’re helping?”
Diane nodded. “She’s one of them. One of her jobs didn’t work out, so I’m just helping until she’s back on her feet.”
Chris felt ashamed. “I’m so sorry… about everything. Why didn’t Vanessa ask me for help?”
Diane replied gently, “She has her pride. She wants to stand on her own. It’s easier to accept help from a friend than to feel like a burden on family.”
Chris whispered, “From now on, you can have the apartment at half-price. Consider it an investment in our town—and in my sister.”
By the end of the evening, Chris realized Diane was a kind and funny woman. He enjoyed her company, and his view of the community changed. He decided to follow Diane’s example and start offering a helping hand.
The tiny twins talk, but when you hear them, you’ll melt. Delightful.
Lily and Lucas were two small twins who lived in a charming village surrounded by rolling hills. Their hearts were as huge as the sun that shone down on their town every day, even though they were small in stature. But what really made them unique was their capacity to converse in whispers so delicate that anyone who heard them could not help but smile.
A family of woodland animals had taken up residence in a secret glade that Lily and Lucas discovered one day while exploring the magical forest on the outskirts of the settlement. The twins’ soft murmurs drew the animals, who greeted them with wide arms—or paws, or wings.
As Lily and Lucas got to know their new friends better, they discovered that the forest was about to face a threat. Envious of the beauty of the forest, a wicked sorceress plotted to use magic to make the trees wither and scare the animals away. The twins were determined to defend their new home, so they set out to collect the one item that would be able to lift the sorceress’s curse: a rare flower that would only bloom once a year when the full moon shone.
There were many perils on their trek, including dark caverns full of terrifying monsters and perilous ravines. But Lily and Lucas persevered because of their unshakable friendship and their capacity to interact with even the most unexpected of allies.
They eventually located the elusive flower, its petals gleaming with magic, beneath the light of the full moon. They grabbed it from its stem with quivering hands and dashed back to the glade, where the animals were assembled to confront the sorceress.
Holding the flower high, Lily and Lucas moved forward as the sorceress unleashed her evil spell. By shattering the curse and bringing the woodland back to its former splendor, its brightness broke through the gloom.
The forest’s animals and the inhabitants, who had previously misjudged the twins’ strength, rejoiced as the little twins ultimately emerged as heroes. Despite the numerous experiences they experienced, they always believed that they could conquer any obstacle as long as they had each other and their whispers.
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