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A glass of Milk, paid in Full

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.”

Author Unknown

{ 329 comments… add one }
  • Jeff December 11, 2018, 4:08 am

    Don’t leave with people as if there is no tomorrow, because tomorrow is wealthier to pay for today. And the evil that men do leave to follow them

  • Harshita August 4, 2018, 5:25 am

    I was finding a story like this only.

  • Aman May 27, 2018, 2:57 am

    Very heart touching story. ??. ???

  • Duchess C. October 10, 2017, 4:32 am

    This is really an inspiring story of kindness.

  • Twinkle Patre October 8, 2017, 4:29 am

    It was good but the best part I found was the ending of the story. Those strong lines were the main reason which made the story effective.

  • Samuel Clark Kofi September 4, 2017, 4:40 am

    so heartfelt story, I love this story. ln life we ought to do good!!

  • Pramod August 28, 2017, 1:27 pm

    Heart touching story I m so happy to read diz story every1 will help the needy persons den 1 day God show sum mercy to us for our karma..frnds

  • lusika pandey July 4, 2017, 12:58 pm

    Its really good…being human…humanity is still alive in the hearts of many..

  • Fr. Joseph Ogola Sirgua May 9, 2017, 6:26 am

    I live my life on these kind of stories. Am so glad humanity is all over …but above in each one of us…

  • Amuta April 21, 2017, 9:00 pm

    These are wonderful stories. I like it. THANKS TO U ALL.

  • Kefa muchiri November 28, 2016, 12:06 am

    Do good to others

  • Blue Eagle October 20, 2016, 3:42 pm

    We reap what we sow

  • Isaac Kpokpo October 6, 2016, 12:51 pm

    Great story.

    • Saloni July 7, 2019, 10:06 am

      Yaa, you right. This is very great story.

  • Palash September 30, 2016, 1:39 pm

    Helping others means helping myself.

  • Princess September 16, 2016, 9:31 am

    What goes around comes around. The good that we do to others will always come back to us. As they always say “God will never ask from you what he knows you can’t give.” As we learn to help others we also receive blessing ourselves. Thanks for sharing, I am truly blessed

  • shruthi August 29, 2016, 12:52 pm

    It’s an excellent story…..!!! I just really love it…!!!! Very,very inspirable to others.

  • Joyce July 13, 2016, 9:30 am

    Wonderful story heart touching

  • Hillary June 25, 2016, 5:23 pm

    I have learn alot from this story…thanks alot

  • Bomkazi Tshicila June 17, 2016, 12:08 pm

    Wonderful story for young children and adults. Very educational

  • Mose clinton June 12, 2016, 8:26 pm

    These stories are really inspiring.

  • Kajal June 5, 2016, 9:51 pm

    Excellent storylines

  • Kwizeera Ezekiel May 10, 2016, 1:37 pm

    Thanks For Sharing….

    Really Inspiring Story…..!

  • Murthy May 9, 2016, 2:02 am

    Excellant story, touced our hearts

  • Arbana March 11, 2016, 6:26 am

    Seen before from the Thai Commercial ” paid 30 years ago with a cup of veggie soup” still very meaningful.

  • Muneer pe September 4, 2015, 11:43 pm

    Heart touching one. Paid will be refunded

  • Hemalatha July 15, 2015, 4:56 pm

    This story is good inspiring life stories…i love this story very much…

  • Charlene trinidad June 4, 2015, 9:04 pm

    I love this story. I will surely be teaching my kids in school this, hoping that one day one of them can remember me when he/she becomes a doctor……I want to motivate them thank you…

  • Koju anel April 8, 2015, 3:58 am

    Wow… just woow is not enough!!!

  • Nesar Ahmed February 13, 2015, 2:53 pm

    A lesson to teach kids in school. fine!

  • Ruth Morian February 12, 2015, 1:42 am

    Little things really matter.

  • Archana Patra January 20, 2015, 10:13 am

    I loved it,,,,
    It was superb!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    The story was well explained!!!!!!!

  • Kunal January 15, 2015, 12:23 pm

    Sometimes, i feel why should i be the one to help them. But this story made me realised, its your choice. You never know what thing can trouble you and in what way. So if possible believe in charity
    Thank you for this awesum story. 🙂

  • Wesley Kenneth December 6, 2014, 7:08 pm

    Love this story. Read it like a thousand times. Same effect everytime i read it. Very inspirational

  • Doni Keli October 9, 2014, 8:36 pm

    The Spirit of God in a human heart.

  • Chetan September 23, 2014, 7:05 am

    Ultimate story

  • Simran September 21, 2014, 7:34 am

    Amazing story. Just loved it.

  • Usman arshad September 7, 2014, 1:17 pm

    The moral is always help a poor he might help you later.

  • Abbas August 24, 2014, 3:16 am

    It’s a good story for me
    Thanks a lot

  • Aadi July 1, 2014, 7:50 pm

    Amazing story

  • Mona June 28, 2014, 12:56 am

    Kindness without selfish motive is the wonderful service and God pays it back in full full when you need it badly. Very true and motivational story.

  • Pradeep June 16, 2014, 12:43 pm

    I already read this story several times. Still each time i see it i start reading it and tears come out of my eyes. Don’t know why… May be in this materialistic world we became machines and don’t pay anything for humanity, love & kindless … 🙁

  • Leah May 29, 2014, 4:29 am

    Is true goods deeds are not payable bcoz someone does it out of love and humanity…God BLESS U all

  • Mounir May 29, 2014, 1:12 am

    Wow.. amazing!

    My heart and body lit up with wonderment at the end of the story. Very warming story. May we all be the likes of such chivalry and care for all of humanity, ameen.

  • Kimia May 16, 2014, 5:01 am

    It is amazing

  • Chandan kukar bhuyan April 16, 2014, 6:55 pm

    It is really a very good story, for that I want to thank to all the contributes members for whom it is possible.

  • Tamaz April 15, 2014, 3:11 am

    Great! I’d like to do the same.

  • Job A.T. February 19, 2014, 5:35 am

    The real way to return our gratitude

  • Ramanand February 16, 2014, 3:43 pm

    It was a heart touching story.

  • Kiran Jayade February 13, 2014, 1:27 pm

    This story is heart touching and is a inspirational as well asmoral story for every persons on the earth. The lady help in need of a boy, he had helped her by saving her life. One should help other in need.

  • Yo Joko January 28, 2014, 10:23 pm

    Is there any Reward for good-other than Good? Ar Rahmaan :60

  • Ujjal das January 25, 2014, 3:34 am

    This is a very good story…

  • LiMan January 18, 2014, 12:14 pm

    He could have written, “Mother has taught us never to accept pay for kindness” on the bill too…

  • Lalitha January 16, 2014, 6:54 am

    Can’t explain in words.. simply Awesome story… touched my heart.. really useful…

  • Dr Disi December 8, 2013, 6:55 am

    I hope that such stories are taught in the schools, including in the cinemas and television programs all over the world.

  • Reynante Mandia October 28, 2013, 3:56 am

    Very beautiful story! Me and my family loves it! Full of lessons…

  • Neon October 19, 2013, 2:59 am

    I have to try hard to hold my tears everytime I read a story on this site. They are wonderful!

  • Vedika October 17, 2013, 9:44 am

    What a story, more than the best!!!

  • Aryaj September 24, 2013, 5:28 pm

    A bunch of these stories made me cry.

  • Akansha September 18, 2013, 2:19 am

    Awesome story.

  • Vanilla ♡ September 5, 2013, 11:26 pm

    One good turn deserves another is the right sentence for this story. The young woman must be pleased. This is a good story!!! ♡_♡

  • Jeni September 5, 2013, 4:09 am

    The story was really good, it remind me not to forget others help….

  • Florencia August 16, 2013, 4:38 am

    I love this story, it is very heart warming and full of good moral lessons.

  • Florencia August 16, 2013, 4:36 am

    My mother always teaches me this when she was still alive “Plant A Good Seed And You Will Harvest A Good Fruit” and this is what I’m teaching my kids.

  • Kirit August 9, 2013, 7:12 am

    Very nice story… Inspire us to do good unconditionally.

  • Jack Wiser August 6, 2013, 6:07 pm

    All from one glass of milk. It shows how much the caring thought is worth in a gift. Love this story.

  • Jenny Priya July 28, 2013, 5:46 am

    Wow…! Awesome story….really touching ! and those last 8 words made the story…. 🙂

  • Beverly brewer July 27, 2013, 8:49 pm

    Brought tears to my eyes.

  • Asare wiafe Enoch July 9, 2013, 3:43 am

    Wow a mans gift really opens doors to him. This is true of the bible. As the young woman did same that door easily was opened. Is a great lesson for us all.

  • Navin Ahuja July 4, 2013, 2:55 pm

    Very good story.. I thank the writer for sharing this story.. I believe God returns to you in multiplication whatever you give to serve the humanity.. Dont be smart.. Just be human…

  • Have Faith July 1, 2013, 4:43 am

    I really love this story… God rewarded her for the kindness that she extended to the needy. We have to do what is pleasant in God’s eyes, because in due time He will reveal the price that is intended for us… never stop believing just have faith and share the blessings that you’ve received.

  • Jesi June 23, 2013, 9:56 am

    It’s a nice story. I am proud to say this I got a chance of telling this story to my classmates.

  • Sahasra June 17, 2013, 7:53 am

    Awesome…..

  • Ankita June 12, 2013, 8:56 am

    Awesome !!!….Just sooo much to Learn from it …Amazing Story !

  • Jesmin deol June 9, 2013, 12:31 pm

    Really wonderful.

  • Jesmin deol June 9, 2013, 12:30 pm

    A really heart touching story, my eyes filled with tears……

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