She Gives A Street Kid $30: Years Later, Someone Knocks On Her Door

Published on 06/27/2023

Sarah was a kind and generous woman who had a heart to help others. One day, as she was walking down the street, she noticed a young girl sitting alone on the sidewalk begging for money.

$30 With Consequences

Sarah was touched and decided to help the girl. She approached the girl and gave her $30, all the money she had on her at the time. Sarah went her own way without expecting anything in return. But that wasn’t the end…

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$30 With Consequences

A Knock At The Door

Because after many years someone knocked on Sarah’s door. Sarah carefully opened the door and was surprised to see a young woman. She recognized the woman immediately and welcomed her with open arms. “Is it really you?” Sarah asked confused. “Yes,” said the woman. “I’m Emily. May I come in?”

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A Knock At The Door

Emily

Sarah stepped aside and let the woman in. “How and why did you find me after all these years?” she asked Emily. “Well, I have something very important to tell you, and I wanted to say it to you face to face.” Sarah was now curious.

She hadn’t seen Emily in over fifteen years; what could she possibly want to tell her?

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Emily

A Surprise

Emily and Sarah talked for a while, but then Emily got to the point. “The $30 you gave me changed my life. And I am who I am today because you did a kind gesture for me all those years ago.

That’s why I wanted to show you something…

But how did the $30 change Emily’s life? What did she want to show Sarah? And is there more to this story?”

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A Surprise

This Cold Day

It was a cold day. The sun hid behind a cloudy sky and a cold breeze blew. Sarah was on her way to work when she saw a small child sitting on the sidewalk.

It was still very early and she wondered why the child was sitting there all alone. But as she got closer, she noticed something…

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This Cold Day

Walking Past The Child

Sarah had to walk right past the child to get to her building. And as she got closer and closer, she noticed the condition of the child. It was a young girl, dressed far too cold for this weather, in knee-length shorts and just a sweater, and in front of her was a small sign that said “The Girl.”

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Walking Past The Child

A Sign

The sign was written as one would expect a small child to write. “Please, I need something to eat,” was written in shaky, thin letters. Sarah didn’t hesitate and approached the girl.

“Hello, my name is Sarah. What’s your name?” Sarah asked friendly. “Emily,” the girl replied, looking down.

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A Sign

The Next Best

“Where’s your mother, Emily?” asked Sarah worried. Emily shrugged. Sarah was torn. She really wanted to help the girl, but she had to go to work.

So she did the next best thing. She grabbed her purse and gave the girl all her loose change. “Here, $30. Please buy yourself something to eat.”

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The Next Best

Take The Money

The girl looked at Sarah with tears in her eyes. She carefully reached out and took the money with both hands. Then she put the money in her back pocket.

Sarah ran out of time to stay with the girl. “I have to go to work now, take care,” she said and walked away.

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Take The Money

Couldn’t Stop Thinking About Her

Sarah watched the girl as she walked towards her building. How can a young girl like her be begging on the streets? she thought to herself. Sarah couldn’t stop thinking about the girl for the rest of the day.

So she decided to go back to her after work.

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Couldn’t Stop Thinking About Her

She Was Gone

She wanted to buy warmer clothing for Emily and take her to a shelter, but when Sarah returned to the same place after work, she found that the girl was gone.

All that was left was her sign. Sarah picked up the sign and took it with her, not knowing exactly why.

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She Was Gone

Many Years Passed

The years passed and Sarah occasionally thought of the young girl. She wondered what had become of her. While cleaning out her attic, Sarah came across the sign she found on the street all those years ago.

She looked at the sign and decided it was time to throw it away and move on. But life had other plans.

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Many Years Passed

A Knock On The Door

Just as Sarah was walking down the stairs with her bag of garbage and the sign inside, someone knocked on her front door. Sarah wasn’t expecting any visitors and wondered who it could be.

She cautiously approached the door and looked through the peephole. How is that possible?

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A Knock On The Door

An Emotional Reunion

Sarah immediately opened the door. “Hello,” a woman smiled at Sarah. “Hello,” Sarah said, confused. “I don’t know if you remember, but my name is Emily. Many years ago, you did something that changed my life forever.” Sarah couldn’t believe her eyes.

“Please come in,” Sarah said, a tear running down her cheek.

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An Emotional Reunion

Returning The Sign

Emily entered Sarah’s house happily. “Am I disturbing you?” she asked, looking at the pile of garbage bags on the floor. “Oh no, not at all!” Sarah said. “Actually, I just stumbled upon something that might interest you.” She walked over to the garbage bag and grabbed the sign.

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Returning The Sign

A Special Gift

Emily flinched as she realized what Sarah was holding in her hands. “You kept it all these years?” she asked, touched. “I went back to the same place after work,” explained Sarah.

“But you were already gone. That was the only thing left on the street, and I couldn’t just leave it there.”

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A Special Gift

Catching up

Emily and Sarah talked for the rest of the afternoon. They had a lovely time exchanging stories. However, just as Emily was about to leave, she said something that confused Sarah. “I need to show you something.

Can you meet me at the place where we first met? Let’s say tomorrow at twelve?”

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Catching up

Going Separate Ways

Sarah agreed to the meeting, and before she left, Emily asked one more thing.

“Can I take the sign with me?”

“Of course, dear,” Sarah said with a smile on her face.

Afterward, they went their separate ways, and Sarah went about her day as usual, unaware of what tomorrow would bring.

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Going Separate Ways

Meeting Emily

The next day, Sarah woke up as usual. She had no idea what Emily wanted to show her, but she was still excited. She got ready and stepped out the door.

Walking the same path she had taken to work every day all those years ago was nostalgic for Sarah.

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Meeting Emily

A Nostalgic Walk

She made sure to savor every step along the way. But when Sarah arrived at the designated spot they had agreed upon, she stopped. She took a deep breath and looked around.

Where was Emily? She checked the time on her phone – exactly twelve o’clock on the dot. Strange, thought Sarah. Where could she be?

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A Nostalgic Walk

No Sign Of Emily

Sarah waited for a few more minutes, but there was still no sign of Emily. If only they had exchanged numbers. She looked around and suddenly noticed something.

A new building had replaced the old office building. Sarah decided to take a peek inside while she waited for Emily.

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No Sign Of Emily

No Sign Of Emily

Sarah waited for a few more minutes, but there was still no sign of Emily. If only they had exchanged numbers. She looked around and suddenly noticed something.

A new building had replaced the old office building. Sarah decided to take a peek inside while she waited for Emily.

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No Sign Of Emily

There She Was

“Hello!” someone called from behind. Sarah turned and saw Emily walking towards her. “Hello!” Said Sarah back.

“Sorry I’m late,” Emily apologized. “I had something important to do.”

“Oh, don’t worry,” Sarah said softly.

“There’s a nice little cafe over there,” Emily said, pointing across the street. “Would you like a cup of coffee?”

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There She Was

Going Into The Café

They walked over to the café and sat by the window. “I haven’t told you everything about me yet,” Emily began. “Do you remember the day you gave me the $30?

“Of course, I remember.”

“Well, after you gave me the $30, my life quickly changed.”

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Going Into The Café

A Sense Of Hope

Those $30 gave me a sense of hope. I bought some food and a new coat and went to the homeless shelter. Unfortunately, my parents passed away shortly before I met you, and I had lost all hope.

But you restored it for me. With just a few dollars left from your gift, I went to the homeless shelter.

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A Sense Of Hope

Stealing Her Money

Sarah was amazed to hear Emily’s story. She never thought that her $30 would have such an impact. But she hadn’t heard everything yet. Emily continued, “The streets were not safe for a young girl, but the homeless shelter wasn’t much better. People tried to steal the little money I had left, so I knew I had to do something.

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Stealing Her Money

Nobody Helped

“Didn’t anyone see that you were arguing and trying to help?” asked Sarah worried. But Emily shook her head. “Unfortunately no… In the end it made me who I am today.

But there’s more to this story.” Sarah sighed. She really hoped Emily would say something positive to her next.

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Nobody Helped

She Spends Her Money Wisely

After surviving another night in the homeless shelter, I knew I had to spend my last few dollars. But I wasn’t sure what to spend it on.

I wanted so many different things. But since I’d eaten at the homeless shelter and already gotten new clothes, there wasn’t anything I needed now.

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She Spends Her Money Wisely

A Bright Pink Lottery Ticket

“So, I walked through the streets for a while until I got thirsty. And there it was. When I went to pay for my drink at the cashier, I saw a bright pink lottery ticket.

I bought that lottery ticket with my last pennies and quickly tucked it away in a safe place.”

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A Bright Pink Lottery Ticket

A Millionaire

Sarah looked at Emily with wide eyes. “You didn’t,” she said, shaking her head. “Oh yes I did,” Emily replied with a big grin on her face. “In a matter of seconds, I went from a homeless orphan to a millionaire orphan.” Sarah couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

“Are you sure?!”

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A Millionaire

What Did She Do With The Money?

“Yes, but you’d be surprised what I did with the money.” Sarah was curious.

“Tell me everything!”

“Well, maybe it’s better if I show you!” replied Emily. Her eyes sparkled with pride as she stood and held out her hand to Sarah. Sarah frowned and looked at Emily.

“Show me?”

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What Did She Do With The Money?

Showing Sara

“Yes! Just take my hand, close your eyes and I’ll show you.” Emily said, shaking her hand slightly to say, “Take it already.” Sarah sighed. “Okay, but that’s not funny, is it?” Emily laughed.

“Of course not. I promise.” Trusting Emily’s word, Sarah took her hand.

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Showing Sara

Where Did They Go?

Emily carefully led Sarah out of the restaurant. Sarah had no idea where they were going, but she tried to listen to the sounds of the road and remember which direction she’d come from to guess what it might be.

Maybe a new car? Or a nice big house?

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Where Did They Go?

A New Car?

They paused briefly, and Sarah could hear the crossing ticking. “Let’s cross the street,” Emily suggested. “But why should we cross the street? That must be a new car,” Sarah thought.

But little did she know, she was far from being right. As they crossed the street, Sarah’s thoughts raced through her mind..

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A New Car?

Scary Thoughts

It was kind of scary walking in total darkness. She relied on Emily to guide her, but what if Emily wasn’t who she said she was?

Suddenly Sarah’s mood changed. She had never looked at Emily like that before. What if she wasn’t as nice as she looked? Life on the street can change a person…

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Scary Thoughts

Almost there

As Sarah’s thoughts raced, Emily remained calm. She was excited to show Sarah what she had accomplished all because of her kind gesture all those years ago.

After a few more steps, they finally came to a stop. “Can I open my eyes?” Sarah asked. “Not yet! We’re almost there,” replied Emily.

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Almost there

A House?

Sarah could hear a buzzing noise. What did that mean? Then a door opened, or at least that’s what it sounded like. Sarah couldn’t take the suspense any longer and was dying to take a look, but didn’t want to spoil the surprise.

She pushed her food across the floor. It felt smooth, like marble.

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A House?

“Open Your Eyes!”

“Okay, open your eyes!” Sarah waited a few more seconds. She didn’t know why, but she was kind of nervous. She opened her eyes and had to get used to the light first.

But then she saw where she was. Emily saw the confused look on Sarah’s face and laughed.

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“Open Your Eyes!”

A Bit Confused

“I can see you need a little backstory,” she said, smiling. “This building belongs to me. But it’s not just any building. After becoming a millionaire, I immediately started investing.

I knew that a little child like me couldn’t flaunt their wealth and I had no idea how the real world worked. So, I got in touch with an investor.”

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A Bit Confused

A Safe Space

“I knew what I wanted. I wanted to provide people like me a safe place.” Sarah looked at Emily. “What do you think?”

“Let’s walk around a bit, and then I’ll show you.” Emily took Sarah’s hand, and together they walked through the building. It was filled with people, all staring at them.

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A Safe Space

Its Not Over Yet

Emily smiled as she greeted everyone with so much kindness. Sarah could see that she felt at home here and that everyone respected her. Of course, she was a millionaire, but not one who flaunted her wealth and felt superior to others.

No, she was just a regular girl who had been incredibly lucky. But the surprise was not over yet.

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Its Not Over Yet

S. Shelter

I have one more surprise for you,” Emily said. “For me?” Sarah felt flattered. She never expected to receive something like this for the 30 dollars she earned.

Emily led her into an empty room where the name of the building was displayed on the wall. “S. Shelter,” Sarah read aloud.

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S. Shelter

An Emotional Moment

“Do you know what the name means?” Emily asked Sarah. But Sarah had no idea. She didn’t know anyone whose name ended with Shelter. But after staring at the name a bit longer, something suddenly clicked.

“No…” she said, tears welling up in her eyes. “Emily… You didn’t… Why?” Sarah couldn’t hold back her emotions anymore.

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An Emotional Moment

Sarah’s Shelter

“I named the building Sarah’s Shelter,” Emily said with sparkling eyes. She, too, became emotional, and they laughed and cried together. “You were the reason I am who I am today, Sarah,” Emily said.

She gently placed her hand on Sarah’s shoulder and looked into her eyes.

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Sarah’s Shelter

All Because Of You

You were 30 dollars, starting all of this. And I can’t thank you enough,” Sarah said, unable to find the words to express her feelings. It was bigger than she had ever imagined.

Just a few days ago, she stumbled upon Emily’s old sign that she was about to throw away, and now she stood in a building named after her.

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All Because Of You