Jane made the decision to track down the person responsible for her broken packages when her beloved vase arrived broken. She had no idea that her daughter’s small deed of compassion would impart a lesson that would be far more effective than any plan for retaliation.
For my family and myself, moving into a new home was a dream come true. The neighborhood was ideal. The parks were gorgeous, the neighbors were kind, and the schools were excellent. Everything appeared perfect, save for one thing. Every time, our packages arrived broken.
When I opened the door in the morning, I saw another rumpled parcel. “Not once more!” With a groan, I picked it up. That week, it had happened three times. It started out as a book with twisted pages. Then a dented kitchen gadget arrived. I thought that Lily’s shoes would fit her properly this time. However, the box was broken.
“Mum, why do our packages always arrive damaged?” Lily questioned while examining the broken package.
“I’m not sure, my dear. But it’s making me nuts,” I retorted, exasperated.
The last straw came a few days later. I had placed an order for a gorgeous vase that I had been wanting for a while. The package was broken when it arrived. When I opened it, the vase was broken.
“That’s it,” I yelled angrily. “I intend to identify the perpetrator of this.”
I called my husband Mark that night. “Mark, a security camera needs to be installed. Our parcels seem to be destroyed every time.
“Jane, you’re right,” he acknowledged. “Let’s arrange it for this weekend.”
In an attempt to apprehend the offender, we placed a camera at the front door.
I ordered a basic notebook, a modest item, the next week. Naturally, the package was rumpled when it came. I hurried to see what the camera had captured. I was astonished by what I saw.
“Mark, please come in!” I yelled.
Mark bolted forward. “What’s that?”
I pointed at the screen and said, “Look at this.”
The young man who was the courier was seen in the video chucking the item onto our porch from a distance of at least fifteen feet. He never even checked to make sure it landed safely.
Shaking his head, Mark remarked, “That’s ridiculous.” “Something needs to be done,”
I answered, with a mixture of rage and resolve, “I have an idea.”
I told Mark and Lily about my plan later that day. I’m going to impart to him a lesson he won’t soon forget. I’ll prepare a trap.
“Mom, what kind of trap?” Lily inquired, her interest bulging in her eyes.
I said, “It’s a box marked ‘Cold Water,’ but when he opens it, there will be a mechanism to spray paint.”
“Don’t you think that’s a bit much, Mom?” With a frown, Lily said. “There might be a more considerate approach to this.”
“No, Lily. I persisted, ‘He needs to learn not to handle people’s packages like that.
Mark gave a nod of approval. “People need a wake-up call sometimes.”
I put up the trap the next day. I put the paint mechanism inside the box, plainly labeled it, and put it by the door. I was relieved that the courier would receive his just desserts.
Throughout the day, I couldn’t help but feel a little anxious. “Do you believe this will succeed?” Mark answered my question.
“We’ll see,” he remarked. However, Lily might be right. Imagine if it goes wrong.
“I’ll handle that if it occurs,” I said, attempting to seem assured. “He must acquire knowledge.”
I kept checking the front door that evening as I was making supper, thinking the courier might show up. With a worried look on her face, Lily was seated at the kitchen table observing me.
“Are you sure about this, Mom?” She enquired once more.
Indeed, Lily. People must occasionally face consequences, I firmly stated.
As I held my breath, I anticipated a paint spatter.
“Mom, I hope this works out. Lily remarked, “I still believe there’s a better way,” and departed for her room.
I said, not wanting to dash my own hopes, “Let’s just see.”
When the courier noticed the crate marked “Cold Water,” he pulled over. He glanced about, slightly perplexed. He set the new package down on the porch with great care. Then his gaze shifted to the package. I was expecting a spray of paint to take him off guard as he opened it carefully.
However, nothing took place. Rather, he reached inside, took out a water bottle, and read the note that was attached. He took a sip of his drink, grinned, and continued making deliveries, leaving our box undamaged.
I was astounded by what I witnessed. I ran out to see if the box was there. The paint mechanism was gone, and in its place was a bottle of cool water with a message that said, “Please take some water to quench your thirst.”
“Lily” Startled, I let out a call. “Did you carry out this task?”
With a hesitant smile on her face, Lily showed up at the door. Yes, mother. It made more sense to me to be kind. See, it was successful. He did not tamper with the parcel.
For a second I could not speak. I gave her a hug after that. “Lily, you’re correct. This was a far wiser decision.
When I thought back on it, I saw how astute my daughter had been. Her considerate approach had not only saved the courier but also resulted in the necessary change. Although I had intended to discipline him severely, Lily’s approach worked better.
“Lily, you gave me some valuable advice today,” I remarked, feeling both thankful and modest. “Being kind can have a significant impact.”
She smiled. “Mom, I’m happy it worked. People only require a little sympathy from time to time.
Our items continued to arrive in excellent condition after that day. The courier was always careful how he handled them, and occasionally he even left a little note of appreciation.
That day I realized that while retaliation may elicit satisfaction, compassion produces long-lasting transformation. A small gesture of generosity and a bottle of cool water made a big difference in our circumstances and the courier’s attitude.
Title: After a hotel guest made fun of my mother, a maid, she taught her not to interfere with housekeeping ever again
A loyal hotel maid comes up with a scheme that unexpectedly turns the tables when she is harassed by a haughty and conceited guest. Rather than using her rage to exact revenge, she plans a subdued but effective act of disobedience that makes the cruel woman pay a heavy price for her deeds.
My mother has consistently served as an inspiration to me. She works as a maid at a posh neighborhood hotel and is quite proud of what she does. She makes sure everything is pristine and friendly for the guests, treating each room as though it were her own.
But she just experienced something that put her patience to the test like never before. It all began on what appeared to be a typical day. A young woman by the name of Ms. Johnson was staying in room 256, which my mother was tasked with cleaning.
My mother could tell the woman didn’t like her as soon as she entered the room. Ms. Johnson was slouching on the bed, idly thumbing through her phone and hardly noticing my mom.
While my mother was cleaning the room, making sure every surface was immaculate, Ms. Johnson knocked her coffee cup off the table, causing a dark liquid to fall across the floor that had just been swept. Not even a flinch from her. Instead, she glared at my mother and said, “Clean that up!” with a sneer.
My mom’s heart fell. She had put forth a lot of effort to create the ideal space, only to watch it all be so thoughtlessly undone. But she was aware that losing her career would be unaffordable. It gave her a feeling of autonomy and security for our household.
She swallowed her pride and quietly swept the floor once more, all the while sensing Ms. Johnson’s penetrating stare. The woman giggled as she worked. The room resonated with the mocking giggle. “Good job for a maid.” With a tone full of sarcasm, she teased, “You didn’t even talk back to me.” “I’ll have something more fascinating for you tomorrow.”
With tears in her eyes, my mom completed her work. She was aware that displaying any indication of discomfort would only increase the woman’s enjoyment. I could feel the hurt in her eyes as she told me the story that evening. However, there was a glimmer of resolve as well. She refused to allow this conceited visitor to crush her spirit.
My mother had a plan when she went to work the following day. She was prepared for Ms. Johnson’s attempted humiliation, even though she knew it would happen again. She was determined to prove to this woman that being polite and respectful were not signs of weakness and that it was a big error to underestimate the resolve of someone who works with pride and dignity.