The Debt of One Bread

 

The Debt of One Bread

In a quiet town, there lived an old baker. He wasn’t rich, but he was known for his kind heart. Every evening, after closing his small bakery, he would sit outside the mosque and give free bread to the poor.

One afternoon, a young boy, around 13 or 14 years old, came to him. He looked tired, dusty, and clearly hadn’t eaten in days.

He whispered, almost with shame:

“Uncle... I haven’t eaten in three days. I don’t have a single coin.”

The baker looked at him gently.

He handed him a fresh, warm bread with some lentils and said:

“My son, you don’t owe me anything. But if you ever find yourself in a position to help someone… do it. That will be your way of paying me back.”

The boy's eyes filled with tears.

He took the bread, thanked him quietly…

And never came back.

Years passed.

The old baker grew weak. His bakery shut down due to illness. Medicines were expensive, and there was no one to support him.

One day, he collapsed in the street and was taken to the city hospital.

Lying in the hospital bed, the old man had no hope.

Until a young doctor entered the room with a smile and said:

“Do you remember giving a hungry boy one bread many years ago?”

The baker looked at him, trying to recall...

The doctor continued:

“That boy was me. And today, I’m here to repay that kindness. Your treatment is my responsibility now — that’s the debt of one bread.”

The old man’s eyes welled with tears.

He held the doctor’s hand and said:

“You didn’t just return the bread… you b

rought back my faith in humanity.”