A place to get lemonade? The lemons that are sold throughout the neighborhood are different from all the others.
You will always remember giving out cups of ice-cold lemonade on a beautiful day. It’s not really about the drink itself; it’s about the fun you had, the “buy one, get one free” deals you made on the spot, and the pride you felt in generating some money on your own.
Two sisters, ages six and nine, made some signs by hand, bought a lot of fresh lemons, and set up a stand next to their house. They wanted to have fun and make some money while wearing matching shirts and Crocs and listening to music.
A lot of folks in the area wanted to come over and buy lemonade from them. But one mother who noticed the kids selling drinks on the street while driving her SUV didn’t like the idea and called the police, stating they were “working” without permission.
When a police officer came to the stand, the sisters were afraid. They felt they were in trouble, but the police knew better than to close their stand.
Instead, he bought a cup of the cold drink they were selling and told them he could help them get the permit they needed.
Before that, he proceeded to the other side of the street and knocked on the door of the SUV lady. She opened it with a smug grin, but he let her have it. It was quiet, clear, and loud enough for everyone nearby.
The girls were so thrilled with what the cop did that they informed him their dad had just lost his job and they were doing their best to help him until he could find another one.
The story spread quickly, and the people in the area did everything they could to help. The woman who operated the bakery in the area gave them free muffins and cookies to sell at their stand. They also offered their father a job at the convenience store down the street.
The story of generosity and giving quickly became an inspiration for everyone in the area.
What happened to the woman who called the police on the sisters? She suddenly realized that she had been unfair. She even got them some lemonade and handed them a huge tip with a note that stated, “Sorry for the rough start.” Good luck, ladies.
The next time you see a kid selling lemonade, stop and buy a cup instead of just walking by. Better yet, get two. Your small act of kindness can have a big effect on their life.