the jaguar and the wheelchair

A young, very rich and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar.  Aware that he was speeding, he kept an eye out for children who might suddenly dart out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something. 

As his car passed, no children appeared.  Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's front fender.  He slammed on the brakes and spun the Jag back to the spot where the brick had been thrown.  A child ran out from the sidewalk, gesturing wildly. Jumping out of his car, the man shouted at the child. “What the heck are you doing? This is a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money.  Why did you do it?" 

"Please mister, please I'm sorry, I didn't know what else to do," pleaded the youngster.  "I threw the brick because no one else would stop." Tears were dripping down the boy's chin as he pointed to the sidewalk behind him. "It's my brother," he said in between sobs. "He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up. Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair?  He's hurt and he's too heavy for me." 

The man went to the curb and gently lifted the young man back into the wheelchair. He took out his handkerchief and wiped the boy’s scrapes and cuts, checking to see that everything was going to be okay. 

"Thank you," both children said, waving goodbye. The man then watched the little boy push his brother down the sidewalk toward their home. 

It was a long, slow walk back to his Jaguar.  He never did repair the side door. He kept the dent to remind him not to go through life so fast that someone had to throw a brick at him to get his attention.