When Connie and Jim’s granddaughter, Mae, just got married, they decided to contribute to her honeymoon. But when they reveal their choice of hotel, Mae responds with entitlement, saying that they ruined everything for her. Instead of retaliating, the couple decides to teach her a lesson.
I’ve always been the doting grandmother. It was something that I looked forward to after having my children. I didn’t think that I’d share my story here, but this was too outrageous to keep to myself. This is how my husband, Jim, and I taught our youngest granddaughter a lesson she won’t soon forget.
An elderly couple at the beach | Source: Pexels
Our youngest granddaughter, Mae, is getting married. She’s always been a bit of a princess, expecting the best of everything.
“I’m high maintenance, Gran,” she would tell me, often while painting her nails or doing something of the sort.
A woman painting her nails | Source: Pexels
But because she’s the youngest, Jim and I got to spend the most time with her after we began slowing down with our jobs. So, when her boyfriend, Nathan, proposed, we were cautiously optimistic.
“I don’t think she’s rushing into it,” Jim told me as we sat down to breakfast one morning. “But I just wish that she would wait a little longer, you know, give us time to get involved in the wedding.”
A breakfast setting on a wooden table | Source: Pexels
Jim loved Mae. And despite us having so many other grandchildren, she was definitely his favorite. He would move mountains for her just because she asked.
So, when her wedding rolled around, we were more than happy to oblige when she came to us asking if we could help pay for her honeymoon.
A grandfather and his granddaughter | Source: Pexels
We wanted to give her a memorable gift, and this was the best way we could contribute, knowing that she would love it. And more than that, it would be a lovely way for her to start her new life with Nathan.
“We’ll do what we can,” I told her when she picked me up so that we could go to her final dress fitting together.
A woman driving a car | Source: Pexels
“But really, Gran,” she said enthusiastically. “It’s going to be great! And the fact that you and Grandad are doing it for me, that’s going to make it a lot more special.”
We got into the store and I watched my granddaughter change into her gown.
She looked absolutely stunning. I couldn’t believe that our youngest granddaughter was about to embark on one of the greatest adventures of her life.
A woman in her wedding gown | Source: Midjourney
Afterward, Mae came home with me.
“I’m going off all carbs from next week, Gran,” she said. “But I’d kill for your fried chicken and mashed potatoes.”
“Coming right up, honey,” I said.
Fried chicken on a tray | Source: Unsplash
As she made herself at home, I began to make my way around the kitchen. When Jim got in, Mae pulled out her phone and began scrolling.
“I’ve had some ideas about the honeymoon,” she said, showing us her phone.
“Right!” Jim exclaimed. “Show us what you have in mind.”
A woman holding a phone | Source: Unsplash
Of course, knowing our granddaughter, it was going to be something lavish.
Mae showed us a luxurious resort in the Caribbean. The place was stunning but incredibly expensive.
“I’m sorry, honey,” Jim told her while I tossed the chicken in the hot oil. “But we just don’t have that kind of money.”
A person eating fried chicken | Source: Pexels
Mae pouted, her eyes wide.
“But don’t fret!” Jim said quickly. “We’ll sort something out.”
I knew that even though Jim wanted to give Mae everything, there was no way that we could get Mae and Nathan to the Caribbean. But he just wouldn’t want to disappoint her.
A wooden deck over water | Source: Pexels
Mae left our home after eating with us, the topic of the honeymoon long forgotten as I did the dishes.
“We can’t afford it, Connie,” Jim told me as he poured himself another glass of juice.
“Then, we have to be open and honest with Mae,” I said. “She knows that we can’t spend a ridiculous amount of money just for her honeymoon. It’s not going to work.”
A person pouring juice | Source: Pexels
“But I can’t disappoint her,” Jim said solemnly. “So, I’m going to look for something with the same aesthetic.”
My husband sat with his laptop for hours. Two cups of tea and hundreds of hotels later, we finally found one that had excellent reviews and was within our budget.
An elderly man using a laptop | Source: Pexels
We booked it and surprised Mae with the news over the phone.
“It’s all sorted! Your honeymoon is all booked and ready to go!” Jim said.
“That’s great, Grandad,” she said. “Send me the links and I’ll look at it in the morning.”
An elderly man on the phone | Source: Pexels
I thought that she seemed grateful, but that didn’t last very long.
The next morning, as I was stirring oatmeal, Mae came over in a rage, her tone dripping with entitlement.
“Grandma, Grandpa,” she said. “I looked up the hotel you booked for Nathan and I. It’s just a joke, right?”
A bowl of oatmeal | Source: Unsplash
Jim and I looked at each other, he frowned slightly.
Mae, on the other hand, continued to speak through the silence.
“This place is a dump compared to what I showed you. Why would you choose such a disgusting hotel? Are you really trying to ruin my honeymoon?”
An elderly man covering his mouth | Source: Pexels
I was completely taken aback by Mae. Yes, she was spoiled. But she hadn’t been raised like this at all.
We had spent a lot of time finding a nice place and spent a significant amount of money on the hotel. I explained that we thought it was a beautiful hotel and that it had great reviews.
“Well, I guess it’s fine if you don’t care about making my honeymoon special. Thanks for nothing.”
An elderly woman covering her face | Source: Pexels
I was furious. I felt a sense of disappointment that I had never felt before. We all knew that Mae behaved a certain way, but I was so sure that she would have changed her ways silently.
She was on the threshold of becoming a wife.
“I don’t think she meant it,” Jim said, trying to make up for Mae’s attitude.
A close-up of a woman | Source: Pexels
“Stop, Jim,” I said. “Stop trying to make Mae seem like someone she’s not. We need to teach her a lesson.”
It took my husband some convincing, but he eventually gave in when he realized that he couldn’t change anything about Mae.
We started by calling the hotel and canceling the reservation completely. Then we moved on to the next phase of our plan.
An elderly woman on the phone | Source: Pexels
“It’s an upgrade, darling,” I said to Mae on the phone while Jim made us some hot chocolate one evening, a week before the wedding.
“It’s going to be better than the hotel we showed you!”
“Thanks, Gran!” Mae said.
Two mugs of hot chocolate | Source: Unsplash
She said she was thrilled and couldn’t stop gushing about how grateful she was that Jim and I had finally changed the honeymoon plans for her.
On the day of the wedding, Jim handed her the envelope with the details. Inside, we included fake reservation documents for an extravagant resort that didn’t actually exist.
A white envelope on a table | Source: Midjourney
Thanks to an editing site on the internet, the documents looked professional and real. We also included a note that said:
Enjoy your dream honeymoon, Mae.
Love, Gran and Grandad.
A person using a laptop | Source: Unsplash
The rest of their reception went well, with Mae and Nathan dancing along to three songs.
“Three, because we couldn’t decide on just one for the first dance,” Mae explained after.
Eventually, the cake was cut and the evening began to wind down with the bridal car ready and parked at the entrance of the venue.
A couple cutting their wedding cake | Source: Unsplash
Nathan and Mae got in, not knowing that when they got to their honeymoon destination a few hours away, there wouldn’t be a reservation.
On cue, Mae called us later, fuming.
“What did you do? There is no reservation! Just a motel that looks like it needs to be fumigated! We’re stranded. How could you do this to me?”
An angry bride | Source: Unsplash
“Oh, darling,” I said. “It looks like maybe there was a mix-up. Maybe you should have appreciated the original gift.”
She was livid, but there was nothing she could do. They had to scramble for a room at the motel, and it wasn’t anything near the luxury she had expected.
They returned two days later, after Nathan had convinced her to make the most of their trip. Mae was still fuming, but we knew that she had learned a valuable lesson about gratitude and entitlement.
A rundown seaside motel | Source: Midjourney
She came over and asked me to bake her some cookies while we had a long conversation about her behavior.
“I’m sorry, Gran,” she said. “I know that I’m a lot, and I didn’t mean to be ungrateful. It was a humbling experience.”
Sometimes the best way to teach someone a lesson is with a bit of creative revenge.
Cookies on a plate | Source: Unsplash
What would you have done?
3 Amazing Stories About Desperate People Receiving Unexpected Support
Life’s toughest challenges have a way of inspiring extraordinary acts of kindness. These three heartwarming stories show how help can appear in the most surprising ways.
When everything seems lost, hope can appear out of nowhere. In these captivating tales, ordinary people faced desperate situations and discovered support from unexpected places, reminding us of the power of compassion and connection.
A woman smiling | Source: Midjourney
1. Single Mom of Four Buys Used Car, Owner Tells Her to Look In Trunk When She Gets Home
I never imagined I’d end up a single mother of four kids, let alone struggling to make ends meet.
When Adam walked out on us, I was pregnant with our fourth child. He thought it was difficult to raise four children with me.
With no support from him, I was left to fend for my children. Bills piled up while diapers and milk became luxuries I could barely afford.
A baby bottle | Source: Pexels
I had to act fast, so I searched tirelessly for work, dragging myself from one employer to another, only to hear the same thing.
“We can’t hire a mom with young kids. Something always comes up.”
Out of options, I expanded my search to a nearby city. I begged my neighbors to watch the kids, then spent my last cash on a cab.
By some miracle, I landed a housekeeping job at a hotel. The manager’s words were a relief I hadn’t felt in months.
A man sitting in an office | Source: Pexels
“We need staff, especially for summer,” he said. “You’re hired.”
I was super excited until I realized commuting to the hotel would cost more than I could afford. I needed a car, even if it was just a beat-up one. At least I wouldn’t have to pay hefty taxi fares every day.
Soon, I found an old sedan online and called the owner, Jeff.
“Could you sell it for $5000?” I asked. “I know it’s less than you’re asking, but I’m a single mom, and this car would change our lives.”
A woman talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney
He was silent for a while before finally speaking up.
“I’ll do it for $5000 if you can bring the money tomorrow.”
“I will… I definitely will!” I said, unaware of where I’d get the money from. “Thank you so much, Jeff.”
That night, I struggled to sleep. I had no savings and terrible credit. I knew the bank would instantly reject my loan application.
In a panic, I realized the only thing of value I had left was my late mom’s gold necklace. It was an heirloom passed down for generations.
A pendant | Source: Pexels
Selling it felt like betraying her, but I had no choice.
“I’m so sorry, Mom,” I whispered, clutching the necklace as I headed to the pawnshop the next day.
Tears blurred my vision when the appraiser told me it was worth $5500. It was enough to buy the car and even cover groceries for a week.
Later that evening, I handed Jeff the money.
“You have no idea what this means to us,” I said, unable to hold back tears of gratitude. “I never thought I could buy a car.”
A woman holding money | Source: Pexels
He smiled warmly as he handed me the keys. “Congratulations, Jennifer. You deserve this.”
Then, as I prepared to drive off, he called out, “Oh, check the trunk when you get home. I left something for your kids.”
I got so caught up in my new routine for the next few days that I completely forgot about Jeff’s mysterious words.
Days later, while cleaning the car, I found a note in the glove compartment.
An envelope | Source: Pexels
I hope the gift in the trunk helps you and your kids, it read.
Curious, I opened the trunk.
At first, I only saw the white envelope I had used to pay for the car. Confused, I picked it up and opened it.
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the $5,000 still in there.
Jeff had given the money back to me, and I wasn’t expecting that at all.
A woman | Source: Midjourney
I crumpled to the ground and cried like a baby. I wondered if Jeff really knew what he’d done for me. I needed to talk to him.
So, I drove straight back to the dealership after work. I found him standing outside, and the moment he saw me, he knew why I was there.
“Why would you do this?” I asked.
He smiled kindly. “The world throws challenges at us, Jennifer. You’ve proven your strength. I figured you could use the money more than I could. Just promise me one thing, you’ll pay it forward someday, okay?”
An old man smiling | Source: Midjourney
I smiled between tears and nodded.
Then, I thanked him and left the dealership, but his words stayed with me.
That day, I realized kindness could come from the most unexpected places, and it gave me hope for the future. Hope for myself and my children.
2. Mom Sells Old Stroller to Feed 4 Kids, Finds It on Her Doorstep the Next Day with Note Inside
Sitting on the cold kitchen floor, I let the tears fall freely.
A woman crying | Source: Pexels
It was past midnight, my only time to let the mask slip. Upstairs, my boys were sound asleep, unaware of how close we were to losing everything.
I rested a hand on my swollen belly.
“I’m so sorry,” I whispered to my unborn child. “I’m trying my best, but it’s not enough.”
Not long ago, life felt steady. I had Derek, a husband who once seemed devoted, and three beautiful kids, with another on the way.
A man standing in his house | Source: Midjourney
Then, one evening, my world turned upside down. Derek walked through the door with a look I couldn’t place.
“I’m leaving,” he said flatly.
“What?” I gasped. “Why? I thought we were happy!”
He laughed bitterly. “You were happy, Anne! Not me! All you care about are the kids. I’m just a paycheck to you, and I’m done.”
Just a paycheck? I thought. Is that what my love felt like? All the years of hard work I’d put in to look after our kids? Where did that go?
A sad woman | Source: Pexels
I was too stunned to argue as he slammed the door behind him, but his words haunted me.
Soon, I picked myself up and got a part-time job at the local grocery store. I tried my best to make ends meet, but it didn’t work.
Child support barely covered the basics, and soon, I had to sell every treasure I owned just to keep the lights on.
Then, one morning, I looked at the old stroller I’d brought up from the basement.
An old stroller | Source: Midjourney
It was a family heirloom, used by all my kids, and I’d planned to use it for the new baby.
But now, I needed food more than sentiment. Swallowing my tears, I took it to the flea market, where a dealer gave me $50.
I happily accepted the offer, thinking the money would keep our tummies full for a few days.
I went home and put my mask on, ensuring none of my babies knew what I was going through.
A woman sitting on a couch | Source: Pexels
Two days later, I was all set to go to work when my gaze landed on something unexpected. The stroller was back, sitting on my porch with an envelope inside.
My hands trembled as I opened it.
It was a note with a phone number. It read, Please call me.
Curious, I dialed the number. A soft voice answered. “Hello?”
“I think you left a stroller on my porch,” I began cautiously. “How did you know it belonged to me? How did you find my address?”
A woman using her phone | Source: Pexels
“Derek told me,” the woman on the other end said. “My name is Grace. I think we should meet.”
An hour later, Grace sat across from me in my living room. She was younger than me but looked pale and blotchy. She looked like she’d been crying.
I knew what she was going to say before she said it.
“I was Derek’s girlfriend,” she began.
“Was?” I asked.
A woman talking to another woman | Source: Pexels
“We broke up today,” she said as tears streamed down her cheeks. “I didn’t know about you or the kids. Or the baby. I found out I was pregnant and thought he’d be thrilled. I even bought the stroller at the flea market to surprise him.”
Grace described decorating the stroller with balloons and a note that read, Hello, Dad! But Derek’s reaction had been anything but joyful.
A man looking straight ahead | Source: Midjourney
“He started yelling, asking if his ‘stupid wife’ sold it to me as a joke. He asked me to return the stroller to you. That’s when I realized I wasn’t the only one.”
I sighed. “And now?”
“He kicked me out saying he didn’t want kids. I have no family here, and I can’t afford rent. I don’t know what to do. I have nowhere to go!”
The look on her face told me she wasn’t lying. She was helpless, and it seemed like I was her last hope. That’s when an excellent idea struck my mind.
Two women discussing something | Source: Pexels
“Don’t worry,” I said firmly, placing my hand on her shoulder. “I need help with the kids, and you need a place to live. You can stay here, Grace.”
“But,” she looked at me. “It’s Derek’s baby… Are you sure you—”
“No,” I corrected her gently. “It’s your baby and my children’s sibling. That’s all that matters.”
Grace moved in the next day.
Her online job let her watch the kids after school, which allowed me to accept a full-time position at the grocery store.
A close-up shot of a person handing a fruit to another person | Source: Pexels
When my baby was born, Grace held my hand. When her baby arrived four months later, I was by her side.
Soon, we became a family and raised our children together in a home filled with love.
3. Poor Old Man Steps Out of Home One Morning & Sees Luxury Car Instead of Old One He Owns
I was standing on the porch that morning, staring at a sleek sports car parked in the same place where I’d parked my old, rusty car last night.
A blue sports car | Source: Pexels
My hands trembled as I held the envelope I’d found with the keys inside.
“Cynthia!” I called, barely able to keep my voice steady. “Cynthia, come out here quickly!”
She came out, wiping her hands on a towel.
“Gregory, what is it?” she yelled. “I burnt the pancakes because of you! You know we’re down to the last bit of mix. What’s this fuss about?”
A woman standing outside her house | Source: Midjourney
“Look!” I said, pointing toward the car. “Someone replaced our old car with that and left these keys in an envelope. But there’s no note. Just the keys! Who would do this?”
Before Cynthia could respond, we heard the honk of a car. I turned, and my old car pulled up in front of the house. My breath caught as I saw who stepped out.
“It’s him, Cynthia,” I said, my voice breaking. “He kept his promise!”
She smiled knowingly as if she had expected this all along. The young man strode up the path, grinning warmly.
A young man smiling | Source: Midjourney
“Gregory, how have you been? It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
“Jack!” I cried, pulling him into a hug. “What is all this? Don’t tell me you’re behind this car business!”
“I had to do it, Gregory,” he said, laughing. “After what you did for me, how could I not? Besides,” he added, winking at Cynthia, “she helped me plan it.”
“Cynthia!” I exclaimed, turning to her. “You knew about this?”
A man talking to his wife | Source: Midjourney
“Well, Jack wouldn’t take no for an answer,” she admitted, scrunching her nose. “He found me on social media and contacted me there. Honestly, I didn’t think he’d go through with it.”
“I couldn’t have pulled it off without her,” Jack chuckled. “Thank you so much for the help, Cynthia!”
I shook my head. “So this old man was played like a fiddle and didn’t even know it?”
They both laughed, and Cynthia nudged us inside.
“Enough talking,” she said. “Jack, you’ve come all this way. You’re staying for breakfast.”
A woman talking to a man | Source: Midjourney
As we sat around the table, Jack began recounting the story Cynthia only partially knew.
“Three weeks ago,” he said, “I met Gregory at the airport. I was supposed to fly out that day to be with my wife since she was in labor. But I’d booked my ticket for the wrong date and only realized it at check-in.”
He paused, looking at me with gratitude. “That’s when Gregory stepped in. He offered me his ticket without hesitation. He said, ‘Boy, your wife needs you more than I need this flight.’ I didn’t know what to say. I was stunned.”
A man standing in an airport waiting lounge | Source: Pexels
“It was nothing,” I said, brushing it off. “Any man would’ve done the same.”
“No, Gregory,” Jack said firmly. “Not everyone would. And you didn’t stop there. When we were chatting in the waiting room earlier, you mentioned how your old car was giving you trouble. Before I left, I said, ‘We swapped tickets today; we’ll swap cars soon.’ You thought I was joking, didn’t you?”
I laughed. “Of course I did! I didn’t think you’d actually do it.”
A man sitting in his house | Source: Midjourney
Jack smiled. “Well, here we are. That car is yours. And before you say no, let me tell you, it’s the least I can do. Because of you, I got to be there when my daughter was born. You gave me a gift I can never repay.”
Cynthia and I exchanged a look, tears in our eyes. “Jack,” I said, “this is too much. We can’t accept it.”
But Jack shook his head. “Please, Gregory. If you say no, it’ll break my heart.”
A young man smiling | Source: Midjourney
How could we refuse?
Jack’s kindness didn’t end there. He helped us pay off our loans and even repaired the house.
A few weeks later, he came to visit with his wife and baby. Though we live in different cities, Jack has become like a son to us. He calls often and visits when he can, ensuring we never want for anything.
And every time I look at that car, I’m reminded of how kindness, even the smallest act, can change lives.
A man smiling | Source: Midjourney
If you enjoyed reading these stories, here’s another compilation you might like: In a world that often forgets its elders, some children go above and beyond to show kindness and warmth to the elderly. These stories capture heartfelt moments when young hearts bring joy and comfort to elderly souls, proving compassion knows no age.
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
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