A week later, something unexpected arrived. The server received a handwritten letter in the mail. Inside was not only money but also a message that would soften even the hardest heart.
The letter began with honesty and humility:
The young writer went on to describe how much they had enjoyed the evening and how grateful they were for the waiter’s patience and kindness. They mentioned how the server had even adjusted a meal to accommodate dietary needs and never once treated them as “just kids.”
But the real heart of the letter came in the apology:
“Our 13-year-old brains were unfamiliar with all of this, so we weren’t quite sure how to handle the charge… After emptying our pockets, the total amount of money we had was $3.28. We departed without realizing how little we had left you for all of your hard work.”
Enclosed in the envelope was the appropriate 18 percent tip, plus a little extra — a teenager’s way of saying thank you for the lesson learned and for the waiter’s kindness.
