logo
An old man looking at a house | Source: Shutterstock
An old man looking at a house | Source: Shutterstock

Old Man in Search of Job Goes Door to Door, Everyone Shuts Him Out except One Kind Lady — Story of the Day

Manuela Cardiga
Sep 09, 2021
04:00 P.M.

Everyone slammed the door in the old man's face except one woman who saw him for who he was and listened.

Advertisement

Jackson Merle was exhausted. He had been knocking on door after door in the neighborhood, looking for work, but no one would even listen to what he had to say. No one wanted to talk to an old man.

He stood in front of the biggest house on the block. This was his last chance for the day. Jackson just hoped the owner was more polite than his or her neighbors.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

Every homeowner on the street had run Jackson off, without even listening to his proposal, maybe this one would be different? Jackson rang the doorbell. Within minutes a pretty young woman opened the door.

"Goodmorning," she said cheerfully, "What can I do for you?"

Advertisement

Jackson was heartened by her sunny smile and friendly attitude. "Goodmorning, miss," he said, "I'm a handyman, and I'm here to offer you and your family my services."

This was the point when people usually said: "Go away," or "Get lost, old man," or "Go sell snake oil elsewhere." One man had even used foul language on Jackson, but the young woman looked interested.

"What kind of work do you do?" she asked.

"I do anything you might need, miss," Jackson said, "I do some woodwork, painting, cabinet making, I fix small appliances, some gardening, anything you need -- and my rates are very reasonable."

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

Ruth's neighbors wouldn't even give Jackson a chance to explain what he wanted -- all they saw was a man they considered 'too old' to work.

Advertisement

"Come on in," the woman smiled, "I have a table with a wobbly leg that needs fixing, and maybe you can paint my guest room?" Jackson couldn't believe his ears. He walked into the woman's beautiful house, toolbox in hand.

First, he fixed the table, while the woman -- who introduced herself as Ruth -- sat watching him work and chatting to him. Then he looked at the guest room. Ruth gave him money to buy paint so he could fix it up the next day.

She also paid him twice what he'd asked for the table. "But, miss, Jackson protested, "You've given me too much money!"

"No, I haven't Jackson." Ruth told him firmly, "My daddy always told me to pay a fair price for a job well done, and that's what I'm doing!"

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

Advertisement

Over the next few weeks, Ruth's neighbors were surprised to see the elderly man coming in and out of her house with his toolbox in hand. Somehow Ruth always found something that had Jackson coming back.

One afternoon, one of her neighbors, Jolene, saw Jackson leave and decided to find out what was going on. She knocked on Ruth's door. "Hey, Jolene!" said Ruth cheerfully, "Come in, have a cup of coffee with me."

Jolene walked into Ruth's lovely home and looked around. "I don't see why you need a handyman five days a week, Ruth," she said, "Everything looks perfect."

"I don't," Ruth said, pouring out the coffee, "But Jackson needs the work."

"You're giving him work just because he needs it?" asked Jolene, "Just like that? But why?"

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

Advertisement

"What better reason to give someone work other than that they need it, Jolene?" asked Ruth quietly, "This man is not asking for a handout, he is asking for good honest work."

"He's what -- seventy? Close to eighty, I'd say! He should be retired!" Jolene said.

"Yes, he should be, but unfortunately his wife is very ill, and their insurance won't cover all her hospital costs. Jackson barely has enough to live on after paying the medical bills, which is why he needs to work."

"Well, why don't you just give him the money?" asked Jolene, "If you want to help so much, spare him all that hard work! You can afford it."

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

Advertisement

Ruth shook her head. "I can't do that, Jolene, that would be giving him a handout. I'd rather give him work so he can earn the money and keep his dignity and his self-respect."

Jolene was moved by Ruth's kindness and thoughtfulness, and the next day she popped in and asked Jackson if he had time to spare to fix up her rickety old gazebo in time for the weekend after he finished his work for Ruth.

Jackson fixed the gazebo and did such a good job that soon the entire neighborhood had him on speed dial. Jackson became the local handyman and earned enough to make ends meet.

Even after his wife recovered from her illness and was released from the hospital, Jackson carried on working for Ruth and his other customers. Thanks to Ruth's kindness, Jackson got the opportunity to earn his money with dignity, and to provide for his family.

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

For illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash

Advertisement

What can we learn from this story?

  • Giving a man work allows him his dignity and builds his self-esteem. Ruth could have just given Jackson the money, but she realized that he needed to feel useful and respected too,
  • Everyone deserves an opportunity to prove what they can do. Ruth's neighbors wouldn't even give Jackson a chance to explain what he wanted -- all they saw was a man they considered 'too old' to work. Ruth gave him the opportunity to show what he could do.

Share this story with your friends. It might brighten their day and inspire them.

If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a young boy who wakes up and discovers his beloved mother was gone.

This account is inspired by our reader's story but written by a professional writer. All names have been changed to protect identities and ensure privacy. Share your story with us, maybe it will change someone's life. If you would like to share your story, please send it to info@amomama.com

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
Related posts

Every Day, Little Girl Goes to Abandoned Apartment Looking For Her Mother – Story of the Day

February 25, 2024

Mom Asks Old Man to Babysit Her 3 Kids, Returns Home and Finds Nobody There — Story of the Day

March 01, 2024

Man Mocks Wife She is Too Fat to Be Attractive, the Next Day Sees a Luxury Rolls-Royce Pick Her Up – Story of the Day

February 11, 2024

Boy Washes Cars to Raise Money for Old Man’s Treatment and Receives Huge Parcel as Reward — Story of the Day

February 27, 2024

Before Disembarking Plane, Pilot Notices Last Passenger inside Who Is a Carbon Copy of Him – Story of the Day

March 01, 2024

I Saw What My Neighbor's Doing to His Wife in Their Backyard and Called 911 Immediately – Story of the Day

February 11, 2024

Wife Notices Husband Taking Wedding Ring off When He Leaves Home, Follows Him Once – Story of the Day

February 19, 2024

Hardworking Boy, 12, Earns Money All Summer – His Mother Steals It and Accuses Him of Lying

December 10, 2023

‘Hooked up Too Early’ Colleagues Mock Single Mom of Boy, Learn She’s Not Really His Mother – Story of the Day

February 07, 2024

Kid Walking Home From School Spots Stranger Tail, Uses His Mother's Trick to Outsmart the Pursuer – Story of the Day

January 22, 2024

Poor Mom of Triplets Never Allows Anyone into Her House, Plumber Arrives There on Emergency Call — Story of the Day

February 19, 2024

Mom Divides the Internet with Video of Sad Daughter She Punished for Not Folding Clothes

January 21, 2024

Owner Dresses up as Homeless Person and Visits His Restaurants to Determine His Heir – Story of the Day

February 06, 2024

My Mother Put Me up for Sale — Story of the Day

January 26, 2024