I never thought I’d find myself living in a neighborhood where perfectly manicured lawns and luxury cars were the norm. But, thanks to my company’s corporate housing program, I was able to call this upscale community home. However, my 1989 vintage sedan stuck out like a sore thumb among the sleek German imports.
My neighbor, Tom, made it clear that he didn’t appreciate my car’s presence in the neighborhood. He deemed it an “eyesore” and even went so far as to threaten me, saying that if I didn’t get rid of it, he would make sure I had to replace it.
I tried to brush off the encounter, but a week later, I woke up to find my car covered in a thick layer of ice. It was clear that someone had taken the time to spray my car with water, which had then frozen in the cold night air.
I was furious, but as I stood there, fuming, I heard a strange noise coming from Tom’s house. I looked over to see that a fire hydrant had burst, covering his house and luxury SUV in a thick layer of ice.
The neighborhood gathered to watch the spectacle, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. However, as I watched Tom struggling to shovel away the ice, I remembered something my dad used to say: “Kindness means everything and costs nothing.”
I walked over to Tom and offered to help him shovel away the ice. We worked in silence for hours, and by the time we finished, the sun had set.
The next morning, Tom showed up at my doorstep, apologizing for his behavior and offering me a generous check to make amends. I accepted his apology and the check, but I had no intention of using it to get rid of my beloved car.
Instead, I used the money to restore my car to its former glory. A week later, it was back on the road, looking better than ever. Tom would occasionally nod in appreciation when he saw me driving by, and I would rev the engine just a little louder, smiling to myself.
My dad was right – living well is the best kind of revenge. And class isn’t about what you own, but about how you treat others, especially those who don’t deserve it.
