A pretty, rich young lady came to see the doctor and complained that her whole life was empty:
It had no meaning.
The doctor said to the rich lady, "I'm going to ask old Mary who cleaned the office floors here to tell you how she found happiness. All I want you to do is to listen."
So the old lady put down her broom(笤帚) and began her story:" Good afternoon, madam. I'm a cleaner in this hospital. Now let me tell you something about my life experience. Well, my husband died of heart disease and three months later my only son was killed by a car. I had nobody. I had nothing left. I couldn't sleep. I couldn't eat. My husband and son died, and this made me never smile at anyone. I even thought of taking my own life because I didn't want to live alone in the world. Then one evening a little cat followed me home from work. Somehow I felt sorry for it. I decided to let the cat in. I got it some milk, and it licked the plate clean. Then it purred and rubbed(蹭) against my leg, and for the first time in months, I smiled. Then I began to think: If helping a little cat could make me smile, maybe doing something for people could make me happy. So the next day I took some rice, vegetables and meat to my neighbor who was sick in bed. Every day I feel so happy by doing something nice for others. Today I've found happiness by giving it to others."
When she heard that, the rich young lady cried. She realized she was too selfish (自私的) before. She had everything that money could buy, but she had lost the things which money couldn't buy.
