Two weeks ago I was finished with the three-part story of Song and Sam — the donuts story. A few readers were kind enough to write me and share their thoughts.

Cathy of Canada asked if Song and Sam ever took time off from their busy work. I don’t have the definitive answer to that. I suspect that although their business is doing well, I don’t think the profit margin on donuts is comparable to that of Apple I-Pads, and therefore I don’t think they have much leisure time or they can afford to plan on retiring any time soon. I am glad to report to you, however, from all indications, that they are making a decent living. The last I heard is that they bought a small house close to work and things were settling down quite steadily for them.

Helen, also of Canada, found the story “heart-warming.” Yet she lamented on the general lack of media coverage on good people like Song and Sam. Yes, it’s true, Helen; “ordinary” stories of everyday people like our hard-working couple here are not news-worthy to CNN or other major networks. There is no foreseeable advertising revenue in running a story on donuts. But you and I, and our readers are doing something about it. We tell genuine stories of the Song’s and Sam’s to a few friends, who in turn tell their few friends, and who knows how far the ripple effect will go. We are the grass-roots; we hail the heroes among us and we tell people about them.

Chris of Hong Kong was impressed with the tenacity of Song and Sam. These were average people who showed exceptional grit in the face of hardship, Chris wrote, and he admired them tremendously. Surely we dream about being the next Mark Zuckerberg or Lady Gaga booking and singing billions to the bank. But honestly, what are the odds? As a humble country boy, I relate to Song and Sam and their tasty donuts better. If I could be strong and sweet like them, I’d probably do quite well too.

Chih Tsung of the United States wanted to have the name and address of the donut shop. He loves donuts and he wants to visit Song and Sam’s place the next time he is in Stockton, California. He will get the name and address from me as long as he promises to tell the owners who sent him. I get a free donut for every customer I refer there.

As a footnote, Mary, the wife of the benevolent couple who loaned the money to Song and Sam to open the donut shop, retired from work about a year ago. If you look at the calendar, that’s before she and her husband were paid back on the debt. Apparently they were prepared for not getting repaid before retiring. Can you match that type of generosity? (I don’t think I can.)

*** The End ***

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