A PACK OF CAMELS

The guy ahead of me in line at the drug store REEEEEKED  of smoke.  So much so I almost thought I was having a nicotine rush for a second. Besides emitting the strong fragrance of a full pack of unfiltered Camel's... He was a rough-looking character ta-boot!  I stepped back a few paces behind his blue cloud and just let him move forward on his own.  

In front of him was a little white-haired old woman.  Bless her heart, she was all in a flustered-dither as the cashier rang up her items and was told the totaled amount.  Twenty-one dollars, and forty-seven cents.  As the little woman counted out her money, she found a twenty... as well as a one dollar bill... but was short on the change part of the purchase. With a quivering voice she told the cashier she would have to put the items back because she didn't have enough money.  It was sad to see her expression.  I could see that her mobility wasn't the greatest ...  and to think she would have to retrace her trip to the store?  ahhhh.....

I was just getting into my coin-purse to pull out the extra money she needed - when I head Mr. One-pack Camel in front of me say - "Not to worry, Ma'am, I've got it covered!" 

The little lady looked up and said in a strong voice - "No! You don't need to do that. I have the exact change at home. I'll just come back."

Mr. One-pack Camel then said - "What else do you need?  Go get what you need and I'll cover that as well!"   

Wow!!  Did I ever have to re-think my first opinion of this guy.  

LESSON LEARNED:  You can't judge a person by their cover. And sometimes a good heart is shrouded by a thick, blue cloud of smoke.