Microfiction

I Made a Difference Today

I rewarded myself for doing the right thing.

I Made a Difference. Image by ChatGPT.

We either make a difference in life or make money. My dream is to make a difference. Be a better man.

One day, I will sit down and relax. Think about life, think about humanity. Then I will change and make a difference. I will get on the front page of the most important newspapers as the man who did the right thing.

Just now, I am busy running my company, and I admit, I’m doing well.

One day, I will sit on my porch looking over the lake. The tiny boats in the distance and the tall old trees that frame this natural lake. Here I have peace.

I bought the place some years ago. My refuge. My getaway. My prison.

I have read about great explorers, nuns who saved children, and resistance fighters who stood against dictators.

I admire people who sacrifice themselves for others.

I wrote a cheque.

It felt like I was giving something back, and I was happy to do that. It made me feel good.

The cheque book is ready for the next time I need to feel life and not just live it.

I got up and poured a whisky from the bottle that I bought on my visit to Scotland. It was a steal. I got this bottle for a bargain.

“Tales of The Macallan Volume” at a price just shy of 100,000 dollars. I know it’s expensive, but we only live once, and we need to reward ourselves sometimes.

As I tasted this heavenly whisky, I thought about who I should help next.

The cheque I made was for children in need in New York City. They had asked for 8,000 dollars. I sent 10,000.

I took a sip of my drink.

A single drink costs me 3,400 dollars, so I never drink more than one. And only when I have time to enjoy it without being disturbed.

Tomorrow, a friend is stopping by. He wants me to invest in some space project. He talks about taking tourists into space.

I don’t understand people like that. Still, if they want to pay for it, who am I to judge?

My housekeeper has asked me for a meeting. I drank the last of my whisky and already thought about when I could take another.

I had made the rule to only drink one glass after I had done something extra good. The donation qualified for a drink.

“Sir, thank you for meeting me.” My housekeeper seemed nervous.

“Of course, dear. You know you can always come to me. My door is always open for my trusted employees.”

“It’s just that the cost of living is going up all the time. Our rent just increased again, and with prices for food and clothes on the rise as well, it’s getting difficult. I was wondering if there would be room for a raise in salary.”

“I’m so happy you came and talked to me about this. It’s certainly a challenging time we live in. I can see it from my own expenses. This house, the last car I bought and the apartment in the city. I really want to help you. You have been here for years and have always been loyal to me.”

I thought about it and made some calculations in my head. Could this be seen as a good deed that will qualify for another glass of that whisky?

“I am not able to do much at the moment, but I will give you a small raise. And already from the next salary payment. Again, I’m really happy you came to me and do come anytime you wish. My door is always open.”

And I gently closed the door behind her.

I called my accountant.

“You know, my housekeeper?”

“I don’t know their titles. What is her name?”

“I don’t know. She has been here for years. I want to give her a raise. Now I think about it, no bother looking up who she is. Let’s give them all a raise.”

“That’s very generous of you, Sir.”

“I feel it is important to care about your employees. What was it we agreed on in salary at the factory?”

“You agreed to 4% over two years, Sir.”

“Okay, let’s give everyone working in this house a 3% raise right now.”

I felt happy. Happy to help my employees, and I felt strongly that this qualified for another glass of the whisky.

I will soon have to buy a new bottle.

The inspiration for this story was an article about a whisky selling for about $100,000 in England. Who pays that much for alcohol…?

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