Man gets mugged in the Bronx and turns it into something amazing.

[Mike_Lowery]

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89164759

I don't even know how to react to this. It's just...wow.

[tutusue]

WOW...indeed. Whatta gutsy but kind thing to do. I sent this story to a TV show...as I'm sure many others have done. He was lucky it didn't backfire and, hopefully, the teen got a new perspective on life.

Wow!

[leashlaws]

WOW is right! Amazing. Maybe (I mean who knows for sure) the kid was
doing this for the first time and good sense took over him and he went on
with the situation as it ended up. What an amazing story.

[cynsaligia]

thx for the post, mike! it's inspired a philosophical pondering for me. go look in your PMs when you get a chance.

[Frankie's Market]

Sounds like he was inspired by the priest in Les Miserables, whose silverware was stolen by Jean Valjean. When arrested by the police on suspicion of theft and brought back to the church with the evidence, the priest told police that it was a misunderstanding and that the silverware was a gift. As if that wasn't enough, Valjean was further stunned when the priest gave him another 2 silver candlesticks as well, telling him he forgot to take it with him. So profound was the priest's generosity that Valjean turned his life around and dedicated himself towards helping others.

But while Julio Diaz' story may have had a Les Miz-like result, in today's world, one needs to be careful. There are too many criminals out there who are under the influence of drugs and do not have a conscience that can be appealed to. The psyche of a man who steals because he's hungry is far different from someone who steals because he's supporting a drug habit.

[Vanguard]

Great story. Thanks for sharing!

[Composite 2992]

Maybe someday this kid ends up becoming president or something. In other words, that act of kindness will have done nothing to make him a better person. :D

Seriously: one never knows when kindness pays a huge dividend.

[salmoned]

Next day's headline, "Mugger found stabbed by own knife!" ;)