Pancakes for Charity

The rolling cart was filled with freshly cooked pancakes, syrup, plates and utensils. My goal was to sell pancakes for charity. As I walked down the hall, a man passed by that caught my attention. He was dirty, weary, bent over and he looked as if the weight of the world was on his shoulders. "Pancakes, two for $1," I said. "No thanks," was his reply. "For charity?" He then stopped and pulled out his wallet and handed me a dollar. I placed two pancakes on a plate, then added four more. I topped it off with syrup and handed the plate to him with a gentle smile. As our eyes met, tears in mine, he said only two words, "Merry Christmas." I wish that weary man knew that his $1 for charity, despite his circumstances, allowed me to hear more than his two words... my heart heard thousands.