The Pit Bull

I am tired of being a good person. Nothing good ever really happens to me. I am tired!!! I wish something good happened for once. I am sick and tired of bad surprise after bad surprise. She silently wrote out her thoughts in the small black notebook. She was in the middle of the nature reserve around the lake. It was quiet and peaceful but eerie. She knew it was time to go and started driving back to the city. She walked towards her car while thinking about what to make for dinner. As she drove, something caught her attention. A big and scary pit bull with ironically the kindest eyes held a sign that read, “Please, help my owner get to the hospital. Please, it’s an emergency. S.O.S!!!”

What? Is this what homeless people are up to now? There is no way I would get an inch closer to that pit bull. She drove away but ended up driving back. Her conscious got the best of her as she knew the nearest ambulance could be hours away. What if someone dies because I didn’t care enough to help? What if I was in that person’s shoes in the middle of nowhere?

She parked her car on the side of the road and walked towards the pit bull while internally shaking. She felt the sweat trickling down her body and wished she could run. It was too late. If the pit bull attacked her, she wouldn’t be able to escape. There were barely any cars or people around that side of the road. Maybe, she had felt dead for so long and fear made her feel alive. As she got closer to the pit bull, it dropped the sign and picked up a ball. Where did the ball come from? The pit bull quickly walked up to her and dropped the ball at her feet. It then disappeared into the woods. She couldn’t believe what had just happened. In shock, she looked closely at the sign to see whether there was an address or phone number. Interestingly, some tiny words at the bottom said, “Hello Stranger, You must have a heart of gold to risk your life for a stranger. Are you an angel? Please, take the ball as a token of my gratitude.” This is getting stranger. She picked up the ball and ran for her life. She drove away as if she was being chased.

Why did I do that? Was I really trying to save the world? Is my life that boring? A million thoughts crossed her mind while the breeze blew through her windows. She was glad to be alive and felt alive. Maybe, the purpose of life is to risk it all. She took another look at the ball before getting out of the car. She then noticed a tiny note glued to one of the ball's ends. She began to read it. "This is a detachable ball. Try to open it like an Easter egg." The words stopped her in tracks, and she started to nervously chuckle under her breath. I feel like I’m in a movie. Is this really happening to me? The ball opened! There was a medium-sized brown envelope.

Dear Stranger,

Your attention to detail and bravery has brought you this far. I know you likely ran away with the ball. I was hiding behind a bush. Whoever you are, I want you to know that good things still happen to good people. I believe you are a good person and would love to appreciate you. You are likely so selfless that people forget to thank you. I have been there before. Please, accept my humble token of appreciation. You can use the money on anything. I believe that you have a good heart and will spend it in a good way. You stopped for a pit bull’s owner in the middle of nowhere. Unknown to you, the pit bull was medicated for your safety. If not, your life would have been in danger. With that being said, learn to love yourself first. Love yourself and others from a place of wisdom.

You won’t always be that lucky, stranger! Live, Love, Live…

Your Angel ;)

As soon as she finished reading the note, she found herself uncontrollably sobbing. Then she started hysterically laughing in between tears when she saw the check. I might be rich! I’m rich? I must have a heart of gold? Really? Now, how much did this stranger spend on a foolish wannabe good Samaritan? 20 dollars? 200 dollars? 2000 dollars? I 'll take myself out, pay my dental bills, pamper myself, save some money...I guess money makes the world go round but I'm already rich. Her crying and laughing suddenly subsided. She saw the numbers! Her heart was pounding as loud as an African drum. It was a check for $20,000!!! This must be a joke! Is this a scam? Does the ball have a tracker? Oh nooo!!! She got quiet and found herself smiling the fear away. She remembered what she wrote in the Moleskine notebook.