It was spring approaching Christmas time in Sao Paulo. Dazzling amber lights hanged from power cables tied to the top edge of the building while magnificently covering the external wall front of Shopping Higienopolis, a ten year old, five story mall. The Christmas spirit was upon Brazilians! 

People dart in and out, children play at the small play center to the side of the back entrance large door face. Others hang around, some smoking, or chatting while one man with a red baseball cap stands motionless. A security guard walks up to him.

“Good morning Sir,” awaits a nod to acknowledge his presence, and then asks, “Can I help you?”

The seemingly youngish gentleman looks up and down puzzled not understanding where the guy is coming from:

“No I’m cool bro!” 

“Have you forgotten something?” the guard named Roberto asked. “I’ve just been advised that a young man matching you description left a closed plastic bag inside.”

“No… it isn’t mine!”

“Well, it’s strange that you are standing here, right outside the shopping center, you match the profile… So tell me why you are here anyway?”

“Firstly it’s none of your business, but if you must know I’m waiting for my girlfriend, alright. Now leave me alone!” 

The security guard’s safety measures made the young man feel like a criminal. Instead of opening the bag to see what was in it he chose to look for a suspect. But then was this guy with a baseball cap a suspect, or perhaps the guard wanted to be useful and act like a real policeman? Shouldn’t he have radioed it in for a bomb disposal team to come to the location, and scan it for a terrorist threat? 

Actually it was less of a bad deed, but to the contrary the man with the baseball cap was a successful rapper who purchased a music system, put his new CD into it, and left it there for some lucky kid to find. Christmas is one of those times people want to give presents to others and make there day!

Moral of this story: don’t forget to give generously this Christmas!

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