Two old ladies, Dolly and Ruby, sat on a cozy park bench, enjoying the warm sunshine and a lively chat about their grandchildren. Dolly, with her rosy cheeks and mischievous eyes, began the conversation with a twinkle in her voice.
“You know, Ruby,” Dolly began, “each year, I send each of my grandchildren a card with a generous cheque inside. I never hear from them, neither receive a thank you!”
Ruby, a silver-haired lady with a gentle smile, nodded in understanding. “Oh, dear. That’s not right, Dolly. Gratitude should always be appreciated,” she said.
“Oh, but I’ve found a way to change that!” Dolly said, her grin widening. “This year, I came up with a brilliant plan. I decided to teach them a little lesson in politeness and manners!”
Intrigued, Ruby leaned closer, eager to hear what Dolly had in mind.
“I wrote each of my grandchildren a letter, pretending to be a government tax official,” Dolly chuckled. “I told them that their ‘Annual Manners Tax’ was due and asked them to promptly send a ‘Thank You Note’ to avoid any penalties!”
Ruby burst into laughter, covering her mouth with her hand. “Oh, Dolly, that’s both hilarious and clever! And what happened next?”
Dolly’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Well, Ruby, you won’t believe it! The very next day, my mailbox was flooded with thank-you notes from all my grandchildren! They were full of gratitude and appreciation, assuring me they had ‘paid’ their manners tax in full!”
The two friends erupted into peals of laughter, enjoying the delightful twist of events. Ruby wiped a tear from her eye and said, “You’re a genius, Dolly! I must try something like that with my own grandchildren.”
As the weeks went by, Ruby couldn’t wait any longer to put her own plan into action. She decided to take a slightly different approach, though. Instead of pretending to be a tax official, she wrote a letter posing as a renowned treasure hunter. In her letter, she claimed that an ancient treasure was hidden somewhere in their town and that only those with good manners and a grateful heart would be able to find it.
Ruby’s grandchildren received the letters and were absolutely captivated by the idea of a real-life treasure hunt. They started showing impeccable manners, thanking everyone around them for the smallest of gestures, and even helping their friends and neighbors with various tasks.
The news of this curious treasure hunt spread like wildfire, and soon, the whole town was buzzing with excitement and politeness. People held doors open for each other, strangers exchanged smiles and pleasantries, and everyone was expressing gratitude for the simplest of things.
As Ruby watched the transformation in her grandchildren and the town around her, she couldn’t help but smile. Her plan had worked even better than she had imagined, and it brought joy and positivity to everyone involved.
In the end, the great treasure they found wasn’t gold or jewels, but the treasure of kindness, gratitude, and good manners. The newfound sense of community and camaraderie was more valuable than any riches.
From that day on, the town became known for its warm and friendly atmosphere, and Dolly and Ruby’s mischievous yet loving influence on their grandchildren created a legacy that would be cherished for generations to come.
So, the next time you receive a thank-you note or witness an act of politeness, remember the tale of Dolly and Ruby, the two old ladies whose playful spirit taught their grandchildren the true value of gratitude and brought a town together with laughter and love.
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