A lone figure was slumped over his drink in a dimly lit tavern, buried in the depths of his grief. His thoughts were completely overwhelmed by the crushing weight of his misfortunes as he continued to stare at his glass for what seemed like an eternity.
As the seconds passed, a massive truck driver with a swagger that screamed trouble walked into the bar. The truck driver approached the despondent man without thinking, took the glass from his shaking hand, and drained its contents in one fast sweep.
The unfortunate man started to cry and sob as the weight of his problems became too much for him to handle. The truck driver put a comforting hand on the other man’s shoulder and whispered, “Come on, friend,” as if affected by the sight of the other man’s suffering. I’ll get you another drink right here. I simply cannot bear to watch a man cry.
The dejected man sniffled and raised his head, his eyes bloodshot from crying. He responded, “No, it’s not just the drink,” his voice choking with remorse. “I’ve never had a worse day than this one. First, I overslept and was late getting to work. In a fit of wrath, my supervisor immediately dismissed me. I found out my automobile had been taken when I exited the building to go to it. I was told by the police that there wasn’t much they could do.
He continued, his voice trembling with each distressing recollection. “I called a cab to take me home, but I didn’t realize I’d left my wallet and credit cards inside until I got out. The cold-blooded taxi driver just sped off, leaving me with nothing.
The truck driver listened closely as the man’s tale of suffering continued, sympathy written across his scruffy features. “I arrived home at last, and when I opened the door, my wife and the gardener were sharing our bed. The world around me fell apart. I left home because I couldn’t handle it any longer and came to this bar to consider taking my own life when you walked in and drank my poison.
The gravity of the situation dawned on the truck driver as he stared in shock. Inadvertently pulling a man back from the edge of despair, he was overcome with compassion as he thought about the man’s story. He gave the man a friendly grin and a pat on the back.
He said, “Life may be hard, my friend. But a few setbacks aren’t worth giving up on. Let’s toast to future days that will be better and hope they are full of happier moments. They clinked their glasses together as they finished. Fate had brought these two strangers together, and they had found comfort and hope in their chance meeting.