While heading to deliver a speech, the vehicle I was operating came to a halt. To be exact, the brakes were not functioning properly. I had driven it for 20,000 km in the last two months. It was a 22-year-old Sportage. Actually, I had obtained this car from someone a few months prior.
One day, I got an email with the subject line, *Are you in need of a used car?* I assumed it could be a different kind of spam and opened it casually. The message read: *I am one of your readers. Because my wife was worried, I had planned to scrap the car I’ve been driving, but since it doesn’t seem like it would sell, I thought it would be better if someone who needs it could have it. And you came to mind.*
Interestingly, I needed a car at that time. As he mentioned he was from Yongin, I intended to pick up the car from him, treat him to dinner, watch a baseball game of the team I support nearby, and then head to my lecture the next day—it would be ideal. I met him. The 2004 brown Sportage he arrived in was solid yet clean, just as I had pictured. The tires, which he claimed were replaced last year, looked brand new, and the interior included a black box, a Hi-Pass device, and a new touchpad he had bought the previous year. *Sir, this doesn’t seem like a car you would just hand over, does it?*
When I suggested treating him to dinner, he inquired about my plans afterward. Upon hearing my response, he mentioned that he would take me to the baseball stadium and pick me up once the game was over. Although I would have definitely declined such an offer in the past, I have now learned to happily accept the kindness of others. As I watched the game and considered buying him something, a foul ball hit by Kim Hyun-soo from the KT Wiz came flying towards me. I knew who the rightful owner of this ball was.
After the game, I saw him once more. *I caught a foul ball today, and it looks like it was meant for you,* I mentioned. He, who had consistently declined dinner, now happily took it. Along with it, he added, *A foul ball from a former Major League player—it will become a family treasure.*
While returning, I considered: Even if someone were to make up a tale, wouldn’t a story where someone hands over a car, I go to get it, he takes me to the baseball stadium, and I catch a foul ball to return to him seem overly planned? His wife had also mentioned, *Who would just take a car like that?* and *Who would accept a 20-year-old vehicle?* However, he claimed he felt I would agree to it.
If a person keeps a positive mindset, fulfills their responsibilities, and consistently makes ethical decisions, favorable occurrences will happen to them. Cars might fall from the sky, baseballs could fly toward them, and who can say what other surprises might come. Even if the car has temporarily stopped, individuals can continue moving ahead by using their outlook on life as motivation. I wish good health and happiness for the reader Ha Jeong-su from Yongin.
jasdooit 
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