A
wealthy couple arrived at a resort in Mexico wearing their finest and most expensive jewels and clothes. The man headed to the golf course to play a round with his buddies. The woman had an invitation to an exclusive auction held only one day each year, one that was sure to have the estate antiques she was looking for.
She hailed a taxi to take her to the auction house. On the way, the driver lost control of the car and slammed into a horse-drawn cart. Animals and produce flew everywhere. Two 10-year-old boys were thrown from the cart into the bushes.
Even though the woman had hurt her head, she scampered to see if they were all right. She found them dazed and bleeding. They pulled back in fright as she came close.
To gain their trust, she pulled out a photograph of her with her four small children. As they inched closer to see, one of the boys asked in broken English, “You mommy?”
She smiled. “Yes, me mommy.”
They immediately snuggled in on her lap and hugged her until they stopped shaking. She noticed that one was bleeding from a deep wound on his leg. Since there was no cloth around, she ripped a piece of her expensive dress to bind the gash.
The taxi was demolished and the driver went to get help. While they were waiting, an old jalopy pulled up. The driver said he would take them to safety - if she paid. “Gladly,” she said. But the boys didn’t want to leave the produce. They were on their way to sell it at the market and if they arrived at home emptyhanded, they would be in trouble. The woman gave them each $25, which was much more than enough.
When they arrived at the hospital, they could not be admitted - until she paid. Which she did.
Two hours later she faced the dilemma of getting the boys back home. Not wanting to risk another cab ride, she called for a limousine.
Delighted with their luck, the boys climbed in and began jabbering in Spanish. The woman didn’t understand a word, but she enjoyed their enthusiasm. Along the way, they told the driver to stop. They stepped out and helped a little girl right her fallen wagon. They invited her and her two little girlfriends in for a ride. The five of them talked nonstop.
Before they reached the village, the boys had the driver stop a few more times to pick up more little girls. And when they finally arrived, the boys had a car full.
When the car stopped, the children scampered out and disappeared, each with the ice cream cones.
“Why have the boys spent their precious money buying ice cream for all these strangers?” the woman asked the driver. “And why are they being so nice just to the young ladies?”
The driver inquired of the boys. Their smiles lit up their faces like Christmas trees. Hugging the woman tightly, they proudly answered, “Tenemos que cuidarles a ellas especialmente, porque algun dia ellas van a ser una madra para alguien.”
“What did they say?” she asked the driver.
“We must take extra special care of them, because someday – like you, lady – they’re going to be somebody’s mommy!”