A poor boy fulfills a dream of an old man – has no idea his own life would change the next day

Joining an old man for a simple fishing trip changed my life in ways I have never imagined.

Following my mom’s accident, she was left with a painful limp, but she still worked long hours at the gas station, struggling to make ends meet. I helped in every way possible, whether it was with the mail, chores around the house, or with dinner.

Being 13, I did all in my power to ease my mom’s life as much as possible.

In my free time, I would go out, playing basketball and other teenage stuff.

Midjourney

One day, I was knocking down bottles with a deflated soccer ball when a brand new SUV pulled over in front of me. An old man got out of the vehicle, all dressed up and elegant.

“Mind if I take a shot?” he asked, pointing to the bottles. I nodded and handed him the ball. He then said, “If I miss one, I’ll give you $100, and if I knock each bottle, you get to do me a favor.”

I was quick to agree, hoping I’d get the money, but the old man knocked all the bottles. And the favor he asked for – to join him fishing the following day.

It sounded like a small favor, so I said yes.

Midjourney

In the morning, I left the house, making sure not to wake up mom, and went to the fishing pond, which was quiet, overgrown, and untouched for years.

The old man then shared his life story with me.

He told me he had a son who got sick, but he was poor at the time and couldn’t afford his treatments. After the boy passed away, the old man made a promise to earn a fortune, and so he did. He started a business that grew over the years, but sadly, he never had any more children.

In the middle of his story, our fishing line caught. We both lost balance as we tried to pull the fish out, and we both burst in laughter.

The day, and the entire experience, was fun. The old man seemed genuinely happy and told me the fishing at the pond brought back memories of his childhood. He used to live in the neighborhood, and even went fishing there with his son years ago.

I told him his son would be proud, watching him from above.

The following morning, I found a bag on the porch. It had money inside, lots of it. Inside was also a note from the old man. He thanked me for the joy I had given him the previous day.

I was stunned. The money could help us afford my mom’s treatments and I could attend the best schools.

Pexels

Months later, I received a letter from the old man. He wrote that he was about to undergo a heart surgery, which I later learnt he didn’t survive.

I had no idea that the day we spent together could impact our lives forever. The old man wrote that meeting me brought him the happiness and the peace he hand’t felt in years. He also reminded me to never lose hope and never give up.

Fifteen years later, as I stood at the porch, watching my mom play with my kids, I thought of the old man, and how the encounter with him impacted my future. His generosity had given me way more than a financial stability – it taught me that even the tiniest act of kindness always goes a long way.

Please SHARE this article with your family and friends on Facebook.

Bored Daddy

Love and Peace

Monica Pop
Monica Pop
Monica Pop is a senior writer for Bored Daddy magazine covering the latest trending and popular articles across the United States and around the world.

More from author

Related posts

Latest posts

Mom wore red to ‘match’ my dad, but I knew her smile wasn’t real

My parents' 40 anniversary celebration was a very special milestone. The entire family gathered to honor their love and their dedication for one another....

Family waited 1,103 days for this photo

The 1,103 days this family waited for in order to be complete was worth all the struggle, all the paperwork, and all the uncertainty....

I hid my face for years – until the day I received the medal

This is the story of "that Marine with the face" who managed to find the strength to overcome the pain of his past and...

Jeffrey Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre announces she only has ‘days left to live’ in heartbreaking social media post

Virginia Giuffre, one of Jeffrey Epstein's most vocal accusers, has been involved in a car crash. Taking to the social media, she has shared...

Doctor warns: A common habit may double the risk of a heart attack

Dr. Hilary Jones, a renowned British doctor known for his frequent appearances on various TV programmes, including Good Morning Britain, has shared his insights...

Frequent nighttime trips to the bathroom could be an indicator of heart failure, research suggests

While waking up during the night for a bathroom visit every now and then isn't uncommon, doing it often may suggest issues with the...