
The hurricane wreaked havoc for miles and miles. Flooding affected millions of people, destroying homes and vehicles.
Jim’s big van survived, just barely. Once the floods receded, the van was left with filthy residue, covered with debris. The motor was fatally wounded. Insurance claims were taking months, even years, because of the numbers applying.
But that wasn’t enough. Soon, words were written in the muck: “Wash me, lazy pig!” and worse.
Jim set out buckets of soapy water and rags. He wrote “Help Me!” under the original message.
The vandalism stopped. The van got washed.
Kudos to Jim for a worthwhile response to a nasty message — and to you for a unique take on the prompt. 🙂
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Thanks 🙂
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Let’s not forget that during this crisis we helped each other
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What a great way to turn the negativity around. Love it!
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Cute story, Linda!
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There’s always bad with the good during times of hardship
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Hilarious… Did it work in that the van was washed, at least partially, by those other than Jim?
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Yes. Apparently the vandals weren’t really vicious, just needed something to do 🙂
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Was it a true story? I took it as one but then realized it might be fiction. Either way, a great story.
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Not true 🙂 But–it COULD have been! Thans so much 🙂
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Better late than never. People always need something to do.
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Yes. And if nothing positive is at hand, some will turn to the negative.
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Love a happy ending!
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There is always a solution to trolls. Smart man Jim, putting the vandals to work instead.
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Yes. And providing the tools, making it harder for them to refuse.
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I guess they suddenly felt guilty! A terrific take Linda.
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Thanks, Keith.
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Now that’s how you turn it around! Wonderful, Linda.
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Thank you 🙂
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I love this post. I grew up on the Gulf Coast and am a veteran of numerous hurricanes, the most recent one I endured was Hurricane Katrina.
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Kind of had that one in mind. Thanks for stopping by to read and comment, Jack.
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I think Jim needed a few goats to go with his “pig.” I know the owner of this van and it’ll probably get more grown over before it gets a bath. Cute story, Linda.
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Thanks, Russell. I’ve noticed a lot of white vans that could use a bath!
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it pays to be positive. always do. 🙂
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Thats a beautiful take on the prompt, love its simplicity
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Thank you so much!
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I love this. That’s the way to deal with that kind of message. I should try this with my car… 😀
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I had this happen to me when we got a very old white car that was very dirty–Terry had big plans to restore it, paint it, etc. But in the meantime I had to drive it as it was. He finally got after it when I told him my students had christened it “The Ghetto Cruiser.”
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Oh no, that must have been embarrassing. I do like the name though. Ghetto Cruiser has something… 😀
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Dear Linda,
This had such a true ring to it I thought it was true until I read through the comments. Brilliant. The last line made me laugh out loud. Happy Independence day. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, Rochelle. It’s also my 74th birthday–numerologists would probably enjoy that I’ll be 74 on 7/4/47 🙂
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I love how this ends with an uplifting restoration in human bonding and kind nature.
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Thank. you, James 🙂
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Smart man, Jim. Great story.
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Thanks 🙂
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What a lovely happy ending. Jim asked for help and got it. If only it happened that way all the time
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I’ll have to try that 🙂
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🙂
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I like your very positive take on the prompt, and the way you have written it so clearly and neatly.
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Thanks, Penny. Took a lot of careful editing 🙂
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Yes, editing is the important bit!
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What a great response! Glad it worked.
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