The knock at the door was unexpected. Mr. Harrison, now frail and moving with careful, deliberate steps, shuffled toward it. His small apartment was dimly lit, and the chill of winter seeped through the drafty windows. When he opened the door, his eyes widened in surprise. Standing there was a young man in a tailored coat, his dark hair neatly combed. “Mr. Harrison,” the man said, his voice trembling slightly holding a large gift basket…
Kindness, no matter how big or small, always goes a long way, and two people, a young boy freezing during a cold December day and a retired teacher whose life revolved around books knew that all too well.
Mr. Harrison turned a page of the worn To Kill a Mockingbird book while sitting at the corner of his favorite diner when a boy he’d never seen before caught his attention.
The young man, around 13 years old, was dressed in shoes too big for his cold feet and a jacket passed on a few times too many. Freezing and confused, he looked around the place and spotted the vending machine. Standing in front of it, he took some coins out of his pockets, counted them, and made a sound that resembled disappointment.

It was obvious he was lacking some coins for a meal, and Mr. Harrison, a retired teacher, wouldn’t let a child go hungry for the day.