A Glass of Milk – Paid In Full 151 comments
One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry. He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door. Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it slowly, and then asked, “How much do I owe you?” “You don’t owe me anything,” she replied. “Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness.” He said, “Then I thank you from my heart.”
As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit.
Year’s later that young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease. Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes. Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room. Dressed in his doctor’s gown he went in to see her. He recognized her at once. He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to the case.
After a long struggle, the battle was won. Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. She began to read the following words:
“Paid in full with one glass of milk”
Signed, Dr. Howard Kelly.
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151 Responses to: A Glass of Milk – Paid In Full
gemma thorne -- 4 Nov 08 at 8:41 am
very good
Annie Tumulak Calupitan -- 18 Nov 08 at 12:31 pm
It’s amazing.
I just posted in a Friendly Website regarding finding the man who sent me this story as it was deleted in my inbox.
But alas! Not even ten minutes, I found it.
God is great!Stephen -- 18 Nov 08 at 12:47 pm
Thanks, Annie!
Plat -- 8 Mar 09 at 3:54 am
great thankful lesson.
ndoumah victor -- 2 Apr 09 at 1:29 pm
One good turn deserves another
Lina -- 1 May 09 at 10:50 am
Wonderful story ,,
Thanx alotLaxmi -- 22 Jun 09 at 12:07 am
One little help save her life
Larrons Matina -- 21 Sep 09 at 9:22 am
Its very nice, I have read this earlier but still reading it again has the same effects of renewal “What u sow, so shall u reap” Good deed never go in vain even today.
zoya sajjad -- 28 Sep 09 at 6:31 am
It is a good lesson for kids “what you sow, so shall you reap”.
prianna -- 28 Sep 09 at 5:07 pm
Really nice and makes me feel to be more giving to other.
Anna -- 8 Nov 09 at 7:40 pm
I don’t really get the ending. Could someone explain it to me?
rem -- 28 Nov 09 at 1:15 am
as always, great story..thanks for sharing it.
Ramesh -- 8 Dec 09 at 6:27 am
Great story, for one cup of milk he helped lot means how much we should be grateful to all mighty god, who has given a lot to our life.
Boniya- -- 30 Dec 09 at 10:59 pm
A great life -inspiring story
jess -- 1 Jan 10 at 7:23 pm
Anna, in the beginning of the storie a little boy was given a glass of milk by a stranger. The woman would not take payment from the boy. This boy grew up, finished school, and became a docter. Now the woman who gave him a glass of milk became sick. The docter that took her case just so happened to be that very same little boy that she gave the milk to. Remember she would not take payment for her act of kindness? When she got the bill for all of her treatments, she saw that her act of kindness WAS REPAID back to her. The docter basically was saying in that phrase “you helped me when I needed help, Now I am returning your kindness. Consider your bill paid in full with that glass of milk you gave to me years ago.”
josh -- 5 Mar 10 at 11:48 am
I love it….
chidambaram -- 12 Mar 10 at 7:58 pm
Hey. It is fantastic. I used the story for the yoga classes I used to attend every month which we used to discuss about some moral stories.
Vinay Natekar -- 26 Mar 10 at 2:51 am
Fantastic motivational story. What goes around comes around.
Jeny -- 14 Apr 10 at 10:59 am
This story tells us clearly that “Service to Man is Service to God”. We must first think that how we’re getting help in our tough times. That’s , We are not getting help from Man We are getting help from God through Man’s kind heart.If you see clearly We’re not getting help from everyone we expect to help us at times. But if you really believe in God and ask him for help then surely you’ll get it from somebody whom you may not known even before. That’s the simple logic which we can’t analyse and understand but can feel and realise………
sonam -- 4 Jul 10 at 5:49 am
It is a lovely and fantastic story. If we help someone then later when we are in trouble they will help us like this story…
ashri -- 5 Jul 10 at 5:54 am
I’ve learned from the story that never forget them who quenched your hunger.
kiran -- 10 Jul 10 at 2:11 am
Its a real moral tale that evry one needs to learn….. From simple morals like these only we can enjoy the seet fruits of life. My thanks for auther.
Jesu -- 15 Jul 10 at 10:25 am
It helped me, thank you so much!
sundari -- 23 Jul 10 at 3:31 am
TRULY EXCELLENT
R.Sharif -- 29 Jul 10 at 5:20 am
It is a impressive story and leaves a strong impact upon the listeners.
Feroz Mohiuddin -- 3 Aug 10 at 1:38 pm
Its true when you help someone God will definetely help you sooner or later.
shashank lal -- 4 Aug 10 at 7:41 am
God is Great! thanks to Dr Kelly he remembered his kind friend and showed kindness in return , a great thing god has and he has gifted us also.
thanks for the beautiful story
Hari -- 5 Aug 10 at 5:51 am
Its really touching the hearts
Lala -- 7 Aug 10 at 12:51 am
wow…it’s amazing story…
Dr Pramod Arora -- 1 Sep 10 at 6:28 am
A wonderful and touching story. It compels me to share with all, a similar experience,a decade back.
It was a cold wintry mid night in Delhi. At a desolate spot, my two wheeler developed a snag. I could not fix it and was stranded.The roads were deserted. looking around for help, i spotted some people huddled around a bonfire, some 100 meters away. I dragged my scooter there and asked for a mechanic, if any, in the vicinity. An elderly looking gentleman from the group, sent a boy for a mechanic. The boy returned soon, only to tell the mechanic has gone somewhere and will come soon. Middle of the night, amongst strangers i had my own doubts and apprehensions, about the mechanic. what if he refuses to work so late at night. As for exhorbitant charges, I was willing to pay happily. It was not long before a thin built young boy came and asked the problem. He was the mechanic. He took over and spent app one hour to fix the problem. I profusely thanked him, and asked howmuch i owed him for the job. To my utter surprise, he refused any money. When I persisted, this apparently semiliterate MAN said politely: Earn I whole day.I need not work for money at this hour of the night. I came for the sake of humanity(INSAANIYAT). And I cannot charge for that.
I was dumbfounded but he did not ,even,wait for my Thanks. I always keep him in my prayers.I pray may his tribe increase many fold and I be one of them.zac -- 12 Sep 10 at 8:30 pm
god is great
Abe Ibrahim -- 17 Sep 10 at 11:06 am
Thank you for sharing – It is hard to stay composed when one reads the scripted note… I pray to do the same!
priyanshu -- 14 Oct 10 at 12:11 am
A good story which teaches us to be kind.
abdullah -- 21 Oct 10 at 5:33 am
GREAT MADE ME CRY
prarthana -- 26 Oct 10 at 10:01 am
It is a fabulous one. i never heard it before.Ithink that the doctor remembered the kindness of lady.
ZARNAIN -- 1 Nov 10 at 6:29 am
VERY KIND OF U TO SEND SUCH A NICE STORY
cmmudkavi -- 10 Nov 10 at 6:11 am
A beautiful, touching story. It has lot of kindness filled in it.
Biju -- 24 Nov 10 at 8:14 pm
Yeah, a really touching story filled with lot of kindness.
Alaa -- 26 Nov 10 at 3:37 pm
i love it so much and it will be the main topic in my presentataion in the university
Anant -- 23 Dec 10 at 1:08 am
its very nice
Tevero -- 9 Jan 11 at 6:12 am
I love these kind of stories…it is very uplifting.
Praise GodNihal mahanto -- 15 Jan 11 at 4:00 am
yes,as the above readers told about this is really a good story …and i learnt that if u give the best the best will come back to u and the incident happened with Dr. Pramod arora is also inspirational plez read that…thank u all
canada marvin -- 2 Feb 11 at 9:53 pm
nice story,,,
lewis -- 20 Feb 11 at 11:48 pm
i have been reading this wonderful and beautiful small story since my first year of my Bachelor course and still i am reading. whenever i read the tears drop from my eyes automatically i don’t know…this small story always teach me how should i be grateful for even the least thing that people do to me…Thank God that i read this story…
Kirti -- 21 Feb 11 at 12:20 am
grt kindness
maha -- 4 Mar 11 at 11:41 pm
really touching…
thank God..Mohammed -- 10 Mar 11 at 6:08 am
A really good story which every one has to read and understand to help the needy
samina -- 30 Mar 11 at 9:57 am
Wow! I cried reading this. We are thankful to God for giving us people like the women, Dr. Kelly and the mechanic boy from Dr. Arora’s incident. They inspire us to be like them. I was reminded and felt greateful to all the people who helped me and I am most grateful to the Lord, almighty for everything.
sandy -- 1 Apr 11 at 3:19 pm
It’s an excellent story…So never send back from ur home if anybody came to you in a need…Do atleast little than nothing…God doesn’t leave ur help,,, He helps u through some one when you are in need ..
shubham -- 5 Apr 11 at 7:29 am
awesome story it”s really just fabulous>>>>>><<<<<<<<<
Penelope -- 20 Apr 11 at 7:30 am
I am only eight but I got a lot of meaning out of this story. Even though, I must admit I am emotional, this story would make the toughest person on earth’s heart melt. I am grateful to whoever posted this story, my summary on it got me a good grade in my English advanced creative writing course!!
Saumitra Pandey -- 25 Apr 11 at 4:49 pm
Amazing story, very touchy and moral is be kind to others.
Roshni -- 28 Apr 11 at 8:11 am
Excellent story………..It made my heart warm………Thank you to whom who posted this fantastic story!!!…..!
Faizan Zubair -- 8 May 11 at 2:49 am
love it
P.laskar -- 14 May 11 at 7:10 am
A really awesome story for all ages. I personally feel this a true example to teach and learn what is called humanity and mankind.
Leni -- 25 May 11 at 12:43 am
I really love the story…!
sharoon -- 13 Jun 11 at 1:23 am
Great one. It’s all about our deeds. So friends, do your best and never expect anything.
varunn -- 24 Jun 11 at 1:41 am
A great story
Aroonkumar -- 24 Jun 11 at 1:21 pm
Superb story!! Super like this story!!
Sohail Bin Sayeed -- 26 Jun 11 at 2:59 pm
I liked it so much that I appriciate the writer that he has presented it in a good maneer that it shows that every good action is rewarded one or the other day, just the right time should come. I Salute the writer and say that the story was fabulous… amazing, unbelievable.
Bhuvan Shree Rathour -- 28 Jun 11 at 5:17 am
A good act of kindness. These acts make us more human. I love it.
Baxw6 -- 28 Jun 11 at 9:58 am
This story tells us that: if you help people, you help yourself.
Courtney -- 28 Jun 11 at 10:35 pm
Now that was great! I learned that we can come from nothing to being something as long as we do not forget who help us to get there. It it also shows that we only need to pay that respect in how we earn it; money is not everything.
JJ -- 30 Jun 11 at 6:08 am
Dear Dr. Howard Kelly – If you help People who have helped you – that is Only Gratitude and there is nothing great in the act. Jesus has Teached us to Help People from whom you can expect back no help – ie called Greatness. Dude – Accept this and Change your Attitude.
Venugopal -- 4 Jul 11 at 1:10 am
I feel The Young lady’s help is greatest in this context because she helped the boy in the most miserable condition of hunger without expecting any return from him. But what Dr Kelly has done is he just repaid for what she has done for him.
Cay -- 4 Jul 11 at 8:04 am
Great teaching. If we all practise this the world would be a better place!
Lila -- 6 Jul 11 at 1:53 am
A very beautiful story. We used it for our class assembly, it turned out great. It had a wonderful impact on all and we had a great time acting it out.
Girygirl -- 11 Jul 11 at 11:49 am
So others said that “If we all practice this the world would be a better place” that is right…. so people try to practice it.
Claire -- 15 Jul 11 at 9:33 am
Nice story. “Paid in full with one glass of milk”
Mitali Jain -- 23 Jul 11 at 6:52 am
Wonderful story with wonderful lesson. It was awsome. Thanks.
Rose -- 23 Jul 11 at 11:31 pm
Very beautifuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuul story
Gaurav -- 25 Jul 11 at 10:45 am
For me, it is a wonderful story…. thx.
Mai -- 26 Jul 11 at 12:56 am
Two thumbs up for Dr. Howard Kelly.,, you showed us that you deserved all the kindness you have received,.. God is good..
Yeng -- 30 Jul 11 at 11:26 am
Very nice story….. it really touched my heart!!!
Ali -- 3 Aug 11 at 1:45 pm
so nice
doreena -- 8 Aug 11 at 9:11 am
Wow….! I’m speechless..xD
Tuikorosam -- 16 Aug 11 at 6:31 pm
Very nice story….teaches us to be kind everytime to everyone..thanks..
Gaurav_Luthra -- 20 Aug 11 at 10:04 am
I think this story will appreciate those who blindly help others. Very very Good story, I loved it!
Naveeng -- 25 Aug 11 at 8:23 am
A good act of kindness. These acts make us more human. I love it.
Maine -- 26 Aug 11 at 5:25 pm
Great !! I really Love this story
Anthony -- 29 Aug 11 at 9:25 am
wow that’s a touching stroy
David -- 21 Sep 11 at 10:44 am
All acts of kindness come back to you, some way, some how.
Bany -- 25 Sep 11 at 5:54 am
Great story to share.. very touching…
JC -- 1 Oct 11 at 5:55 pm
I would have done the same thing.
Balu -- 8 Oct 11 at 11:41 pm
God is great
Karthi -- 11 Oct 11 at 2:06 am
Wow, greatly inspired, the doctor did not forget old favors in his life.
Chijindu -- 11 Oct 11 at 8:58 am
Our prayer is that we wil leave to reap what we have sowed so from today sow good because you never know when you will reap.
Jyothish kurumbathur -- 19 Oct 11 at 12:20 pm
Very nice story. Please Try to share this stories with children.. It helps child to frame helping mind and kindness.
Jenny Doll -- 21 Oct 11 at 9:17 am
Nice story, I like it. I love uuuuuuuuu
Mahwash -- 28 Oct 11 at 12:10 am
Awesome story. Everyone should have such a great heart.. KIDNESS IS ALWAYS REWARDED..
Govind -- 29 Oct 11 at 5:22 am
nice …
Shekhar -- 5 Nov 11 at 11:59 am
It is a great inspiring story for me as a trainer of Youth Work. I can cite this story as a example of humanity & kindness.
Isha -- 9 Nov 11 at 7:51 am
Very good & inspiring story. Really good one.
Gaurav -- 14 Nov 11 at 6:45 am
God is merciful.
Motivational Speaker -- 17 Nov 11 at 11:59 pm
Such a heartwarming story. It really goes to show that when helping others even by the little things you can be rewarded tenfold.
Marquee -- 18 Nov 11 at 12:37 am
Kindness has a price that anyone can afford to give and have. We should not be selfish about it for if we give, we can receive as well. This story will always remind us that even a little act of kindness can make or cause a huge difference in a person’s life.
Shiv Shankar -- 19 Nov 11 at 2:09 pm
Very good and heart touching story.. as you sow, so shall you reap… very inspirational story.
Lyka -- 21 Nov 11 at 2:14 am
It was such a good lesson for me and to everyone! I was very touched and enlightened as the poor boy was. ! God is POWERFUL..!
Manikandan -- 25 Nov 11 at 5:00 am
Good story
Jonathan Lkr. -- 27 Nov 11 at 8:29 am
The work of Charity is like depositing money to the bank of God, He keep in interest for us and one day he will pay it back to us. Thanks for meaningful story.
Senior Amuri -- 3 Dec 11 at 6:37 pm
Nice one!
Saba Hussain -- 18 Dec 11 at 12:28 pm
The best story I have ever read….so touchy…love it….
Vinay -- 19 Dec 11 at 2:24 am
Awesome
Hassen Asmara -- 23 Dec 11 at 7:35 am
What a splendid story! Many years ago my friend From Australia the late Janice D Aloia shared this story with me and is still in my memory. Very educationl. These days the morality of most us is getting weaker and weaker and such stories are important cos they give great lessons, for the people who understand.
Anamika Sharma -- 26 Dec 11 at 10:12 am
Really nice…………….but the ending could have been done more suitably.
shree -- 27 Dec 11 at 3:12 am
It is an lovely story but the way jess n jeny explained it that was nice and inspiring too .
thank you
Sherl -- 1 Jan 12 at 1:11 am
WOW. Really made my day thanks.
Brian Low -- 4 Jan 12 at 2:10 pm
Amazing story
love itNorma -- 6 Jan 12 at 2:10 am
Kindness will always come back in much, much fold. I was teary eyed reading the story. The kindness of the lady & Kelly is scarce nowadays. I resolve to be more kind…
Prasad Jachak -- 8 Jan 12 at 12:25 pm
Beautiful and strong moral story…
Ruraj -- 11 Jan 12 at 12:17 pm
This opportunity is very rare that you can help the same person who has helped you earlier, only the very lucky one gets this opportunity!
Joyshree -- 20 Jan 12 at 5:12 am
Truly touching story
Daphne Dwritewell Williams -- 29 Jan 12 at 4:32 am
Amazing story, I love it. Karma at its best. Keep posting great valuable content.
R K Moorthy -- 30 Jan 12 at 11:59 am
Always be kind to fellow human beings
Mizu -- 31 Jan 12 at 3:34 am
Nowadays that children have almost forgotten the golden values, articles like this must be presented to them. This story allows the reader to reflect then resolute hindrances in life with kindness.
Mayor Queen -- 5 Feb 12 at 2:52 pm
Life is definitely unexpected.
Shan -- 6 Feb 12 at 9:45 pm
What goes around comes back around.
Lakshmi -- 7 Feb 12 at 1:34 pm
Its really heart touching story thanks Annie
KAYAL -- 9 Feb 12 at 8:12 am
GREAT NICE AMAZING PERFECT BEAUTIFULL KNOWLEDGE WOWWWW
Kishan Giri -- 14 Feb 12 at 5:30 am
It’s such a motivational story. You get what you do to others. Service to mankind is what this story gives us knowledge. U get what u do..
Petro -- 14 Feb 12 at 11:59 pm
The Best moral story ever!
Funmi -- 15 Feb 12 at 12:42 pm
A little kindness speaks in later years. It’s really good to show kindness no matter how little
Rubana -- 17 Feb 12 at 3:28 am
It was a small act of giving, but it changed this man’s life, filling him with so much of hope that he became a doctor even! same way the story is very short, maybe the shortest there is on this website.. but it has touched me a hundered fold..
Vann -- 21 Feb 12 at 3:29 am
It’s a good story !! I very like it.. The best moral story ever after !!!
KUMAR -- 24 Feb 12 at 4:14 am
very nice one……..
Alfran -- 24 Feb 12 at 10:28 am
AMEN… GLORY TO GOD… thank you for sharing a meaningful story…
Rei Kobayashi -- 29 Feb 12 at 5:29 am
A nice story.. it is a MUST read… you MUST read it..:D
… meaningful story.Raheem -- 8 Mar 12 at 2:55 am
Thank you for teaching me without payment. I will teach hundreds of my students.
Ifeanyi chris. -- 9 Mar 12 at 8:26 am
So good to be real. It’s worth it when we show kindness. Tomorow may never be yours to give, maybe to recieve. But when you don’t deposit, how do you withdraw? Start thinking and acting.
Shrinath -- 13 Mar 12 at 5:47 am
I have read this story many times.. It’s very inspiring and promting each one to serve for the humanity. I went through many comments too.. We come across many such opportunities in our life but often fail to make proper use of it.. When such an opportunity is presented by God it’s better that we use it.
Emmanuel Olatunji Alonge -- 13 Mar 12 at 7:07 am
I am humbled. Life is a product of what you do to others for certainly one day it would come back to you in a magnificent medium you never expect.
Carole -- 15 Mar 12 at 2:33 pm
Truly a story of compassion….
Janitha -- 16 Mar 12 at 5:30 am
Every time I read this story I am inspired more.
Tzarina Gica -- 21 Mar 12 at 3:33 am
The story is so touching…..almost made me cry….
Anne -- 21 Mar 12 at 5:23 pm
Nice bravo
Thank u God.Amrutha -- 22 Mar 12 at 12:29 am
Nice story
Heart touching.J.S. Falohun -- 30 Mar 12 at 2:00 pm
Lesson: parents, teach your children the act of kindness. Children do not forget your parents’ teaching. There is a reward for every act of kindness you show to someone. The reward may come when & where you never expect.
Neha -- 31 Mar 12 at 11:39 am
Very Touching Story.. Filled my eyes with tears.. Good deeds always fetch good returns..
Nurul -- 1 Apr 12 at 5:36 am
This is a very great story
Masooma -- 8 Apr 12 at 12:18 pm
Awesome story
Addy Homez -- 14 Apr 12 at 10:37 am
Wonderful story, I liked it a lot.
Ogay Monye -- 16 Apr 12 at 4:25 am
Wow! This’s an amazing one. It inspires me to show kindness to everybody irrespective of his/her status
JAGGU -- 18 Apr 12 at 6:37 am
Kelly, it is a dam good story.
Loveraj -- 21 Apr 12 at 4:46 am
Heart touching story.
Mukund -- 24 Apr 12 at 10:02 am
A very interesting story.
L.R. SHORI -- 26 Apr 12 at 2:36 am
An excellent story
Bobby -- 30 Apr 12 at 3:35 pm
God who is kind to the unthankful and to the evil.
Allan Buena -- 1 May 12 at 8:29 am
It’s a very nice story. Share what we have and share it with heart.
L.R. SHORI -- 2 May 12 at 4:26 am
It is an old saying for everybody on earth “AS YOU SOW SO SHALL YOU REAP” . Story itself throws flood of light to convey that one should always contribute humanity towards society. Thanks.
Afila -- 7 May 12 at 4:58 am
Avery touching story indeed… made me think of how the little kindness we show others are stored up for the future.
Anne -- 16 May 12 at 4:29 am
Excellent.. I will share it to my kids…