That bunch of sweet，sweet bananas

本文是一則關于善心的故事。 Phillips先生在街道老太太那里買香蕉，那里的香蕉是每千克7美元。作為超市的老顧客，他離開了老太太到超市購買香蕉。但發(fā)現(xiàn)超市的香蕉更貴，且不能還價。于是他又回到了商販那里。得知老太太的經(jīng)歷后，他伸出了慷慨的援助之手，并進行了一連串的反思……

M r.Phillips was just about to leave his office when he remembered that his wife had asked him to bring 1kg of bananas.When he stepped out，he saw an illlooking old lady across the road，selling fresh bananas on the street.

He asked her the price.It was$7 per 1kg.He said，“But the store where I usually buy fruits from gives them for$5 per 1kg.Can you not give me the same price？”The old lady told， “No Sir， I can not afford to match that price.I can sell them to you at$6 per 1kg.That's the best I can afford to give you for.”Mr.Phillips left in his car towards the usual grocery shop.

He went to the cashier，only to be told that price per 1kg was$10.He told the cashier that this was a sharp price increase.He hoped for a better deal as a loyal customer.The manager turned down his request and Mr.Phillips felt a little bad.

He went back to the old lady.She recognized him instantly and told him， “Sir， I can't match that price.I won't be able to earn any profit.”

Mr.Phillips told her， “Don't worry about the price.I will pay you$10 per kg!Now， give me 2 kg.” The old lady got very happy， packed 2kg of bananas and said， “I can't take$10 but I will take$7 per kg.I appreciate your kindness.” She also told him， “My husband used to own a small fruit shop but he got very sick.We have no child or any relatives who could support us.We had to sell his shop to cover his medical bills but he could not survive.”With tears flowing from her eyes，she said， “But now to support myself I am trying to sell what I can afford to buy and sell， so I can survive for what's left of my life.”

Mr.Phillips told her， “Do not worry! From tomorrow on， I will only buy bananas from you.” He pulled out his wallet and gave her$100 extra and said，“Take this， bring more different fruits to sell tomorrow，and this is an advance payment for fruits I will be buying from you.You can earn more if you have more choices of fruits to sell.”The old lady thanked him.

Later，He recommended many of his colleagues to buy fruits from the lady.And with the support from Mr.Phillips and many other buyers， she made a better living.

Often we choose to go in big malls or big grocery shops for a shopping.We always pay the fixed price without bargaining.That is fine as we all have choices and people who run their business have their liabilities too.However，we need to spare a moment and think why we have no courage or reason to bargain while shopping at big shops and why we try to bargain heavily with small street vendors（商販）.It is always our virtue to be helpful and supportive to someone who works hard to earn and has a need for it.