Many years ago, a 10-year-old boy walked up to the counter of a soda shop and climbed onto a stool. He caught the eye of the waitress and asked, “How much is an ice cream sundae?”
“Fifty cents,” the waitress replied. The boy reached into his pockets, pulled out a handful of change, and began counting. The waitress frowned impatiently. After all, she had other customers to wait on.
The boy squinted up at the waitress. “How much is a dish of plain ice cream?” he asked. The waitress sighed and rolled her eyes. “Thirty-five cents,” she said with a note of irritation.
Again, the boy counted his coins. At last, he said, “I’ll have the plain ice cream, please.” He put a quarter and two nickels on the counter. The waitress took the coins, brought the ice cream, and walked away.
About ten minutes later, she returned and found the ice cream dish empty. The boy was gone. She picked up the empty dish—then swallowed hard.
There on the counter, next to the wet spot where the dish had been, were two nickels and five pennies. The boy had had enough for a sundae, but he had ordered plain ice cream so he could leave her a tip.
In a world that constantly tells us to get all we can, every so often it’s important to be reminded of the power of generosity.
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Melissa Schmalenberger says
March 30, 2010 at 2:56 PMThanks for the reminder of how we should all lead our lives!
Christine says
March 30, 2010 at 4:01 PMHalfway through the story I said to myself, “He is going to use the money for a tip!” This story is adorable. Thank you for posting it – I think we can all learn something from it!
heather says
March 30, 2010 at 4:03 PMchildren being more gracious than adults always puts me on the verge of tears, for some reason. i guess it gives me hope about the future of humanity…
Lyndit says
March 30, 2010 at 5:55 PMA beautiful heart warming story. The power to share is my favorite ability.
[email protected] says
March 30, 2010 at 7:48 PMThat is just a wonderful story and I do hope that the waitress learned from the little boy. Children can teach us so much if we just pay attention.
Thank you for sharing.
Debbie
Christine says
March 31, 2010 at 12:37 PMHeather – I know exactly what you mean! I had tears in my eyes when I read this story.
[email protected] Optimistic Journey says
March 31, 2010 at 1:22 PMI loved this story. The little boy could have easily gave the whole 50 cents away and got the sundae. It’s the principal behind this story that we can learn from. Thanks for sharing!!
Ellem says
March 31, 2010 at 7:29 PMGreat story-a hearat grabber. Despite all, the boy was true to himself.
tudza says
March 31, 2010 at 8:05 PMA touching fairy tale. Did he leave at least 15%?
di says
August 28, 2013 at 9:22 AMHe left almost 30%.
MathMagician says
July 1, 2016 at 9:34 AMHe left 43%
20% would have been 7¢
which he had the change to give.
Winged Avenger says
March 31, 2010 at 9:35 PMOnce this kid learns percentages, he’ll kick himself for overtipping.
di says
August 28, 2013 at 9:23 AMI don’t think he will…
Martijn says
April 1, 2010 at 11:54 AMI love this story. Definitely touched me on an emotional level.
Prashanth says
April 4, 2010 at 8:14 AMTruly a great story, I loved it :)
Lech says
April 9, 2010 at 8:52 AMThere are countries where giving tips is not mandatory – it is even rare thing to do. Only some social pressure about customs imported form other countries make people give tips.
I pity the boy – he gave too big tip, he gave it to waitress who was impatient and rolling her eyes, and he did not eat his sundae :(
di says
August 28, 2013 at 9:25 AMHe was teaching her…
Georgia says
April 11, 2016 at 1:48 PMHe did eat his sundae…….
MathMagician says
July 1, 2016 at 9:38 AMHe ate plain ice cream,
his second choice.
James Duncan says
April 12, 2010 at 6:56 AMWow. This is quite unbelievably saccharine.
Baran says
May 14, 2010 at 11:01 AMLoved it!
M says
June 6, 2010 at 1:55 AMI swallowed hard too – thanks for sharing that one.
I didn’t see it coming – maybe because I’m Aussie and we don’t tip here.
terri says
January 31, 2015 at 11:41 PMNo we don’t HAVE to tip here in Australia, but if I have received terrific service I ALWAYS so my appreciation.
Zane says
July 30, 2010 at 11:09 PMWow if i was the waiter i would have probably given the kid a heavy sundae for free. and not worried about the tip .. damg now thats what i would call humanity .. who would be expecting a tip for a young kid. I would rather make the young kid happy with out expecting him to use all his money. I do not see any significance for this story . there is no moral value to it .. the only thing i get from this is … its all about the money it does not matter if you are a kid . you have to pay for a service .. zero slack.
di says
August 28, 2013 at 9:26 AMEveryone matures at a different rate.
Eveline Rickers says
July 25, 2011 at 6:49 PMThis can be my terrific pleasure to go to your site and to appreciate your fantastic post here ‘
Dante Iscariot says
May 17, 2012 at 3:13 PMThis actually made me cry and I’m not entirely sure why exactly my reaction is so strong.
Merri says
January 20, 2013 at 2:40 PMJust found your blog. What a beautiful entry. Extraordinary child, with an equally extraordinary mother in the background. We should all strive to get this vignette out to everyone we know.
jon says
October 27, 2014 at 6:34 AMI heard his mother had run out before he could remember her. It was his dad raising him with such a generous spirit.
=]
JC Buendia says
April 17, 2014 at 10:17 PMThe boy is a New Yorker #justkidding . Thank you for another wonderful post.
Nancy says
July 26, 2014 at 7:42 AMSome of you are missing the bigger picture. This little boy already had kindness in his heart – he was there to pass that kindness on to the waitress, who obviously needed it!
Jeannie says
October 25, 2014 at 9:15 PMI think the point of this post is that ‘we can all learn from it’ whether we are the impatient waitress or the generous giver and take what we need from this story as I am am sure it really spoke to all of us in different ways… Thanks Joshua!! :)
Ralf says
January 31, 2015 at 11:40 PMIn Japan, leaving a tip is an insult.
Tipping an official is called a bribe.
Ali Akber says
May 26, 2016 at 1:32 PMI really appreciate that little boy how he full of goodness it’s a good way to be a good person and live better