While checking out at a grocery store, Mary realized she’d left her wallet in her friend’s car. Embarrassed, she was about to leave empty-handed when a young boy, Mark, stepped up and paid for her items—despite clearly not having much himself. “Sometimes we have to do good things,” he said, echoing his grandmother’s words. Mary took his number, promising to repay him.

The next day, after retrieving her wallet, Mary visited Mark’s modest home with her daughter Anastacia. Mark explained he couldn’t invite them in—his grandmother was in the hospital, awaiting a costly surgery they couldn’t afford. He had started a GoFundMe but was struggling to raise awareness. Touched by his kindness and situation, Mary and Anastacia decided to help however they could.

Anastacia shared Mark’s story on Reddit and social media, describing how a boy with little to his name still chose generosity. At first, it seemed hopeless—but then something incredible happened. The story went viral. A news outlet picked it up, and within days, the fundraiser surpassed its $230,000 goal, covering the entire cost of the grandmother’s treatment.

Mark couldn’t believe it. What began as a $20 act of kindness had returned to him and his family in ways he never imagined. Mary smiled, remembering what he’d said: “Karma will reward us later.” And this time, it truly did.