Shop Owner Doesn’t Want Homeless Man Outside Store, Learns Costly Lesson

Getting By

Mohammed shivered under the foil blanket on the pavement.

The only way he got by was through the generosity of the occasional stranger. To maximize this, he had to sit in areas of high traffic.

He hated the stares he got, but for every twenty people who judged him harshly, one person would give him a bit of change.

A Shadow Appears

Mohammed had finally found a street corner that seemed like the perfect spot to sit down at.

Between the generosity of strangers and the odd jobs he did, he was getting by okay.

He still had no home, but the harsh pavement would have to do for now. But then he noticed a shadow appear over him. He expected it to be another stranger, but it wasn’t.

Shop Owner

He squinted to get a better look at the silhouette against the sun, but his blood ran cold as he noticed who it was.

It was the shop owner of the store he was sitting outside of, and he didn’t look happy.

“I want you to leave now!” The man said, not even bothering to introduce himself. Mohammed had dealt with angry store clerks before, but this time, it was different.

Packing Up

As much as Mohammed wanted to stand his ground, he knew that, generally, it wasn’t a good idea to get on the wrong side of a business owner. He reluctantly started packing his things.

He would miss the spot right by the store, but he could park on the other side of the street.

Maybe he’d still get some kindness that way. But he had no idea what was going to happen.

Kicked Out

Mohammed had been kicked out again. He stared at the shop owner with a pleading look in his eyes. But the man didn’t care where he went, as long as it wasn’t outside of his store.

The owner showed no compassion whatsoever to the homeless man.

Where would he go now? But neither of the men knew that in just a few days’ time, the owner would learn an expensive lesson.

Seeing Something He Couldn’t Believe

Mohammed respected the shop owner’s wishes and sat on the other side of the street, watching people come and go into his store.

But it wasn’t going to stay that way for long.

Just a few days later, Mohammed was asleep on the pavement when he heard screaming, “Help!” A familiar voice rang out onto the street. Mohammed opened his eyes and looked at the store.

Begging

The man who had kicked him away from his store just days before was now the one who was begging Mohammed for help. But what Mohammed saw made his blood run cold.

It might have been karma or maybe divine intervention. But did the man deserve what was happening to him?

Mohammed had a big decision to make, and it would change his life forever.

Mohammed Faris

Mohammed Faris was one of the kindest souls who thanked God for every day on the earth.

But his faith was tested when his life fell apart. He remembered growing up with his mother, who named him Mohammed to honor their religion.

He was taught the values and virtues of Christian faith and knew to always be grateful for what he had. But time would get tough.

Tragedy

Mohammed’s mother tragically passed away when he was fifteen years old. With no direction, he had to drop out of school and stay in a boy’s home until he turned eighteen.

As an adult with no qualifications, he was thrust into a harsh world unprepared.

Still, he never forgot what his mother had taught him growing up. She had had a harsh life, too.

Tough Beginnings

Mohammed’s mother, Mary, had tough beginnings. She lived in Baghdad as a child, and her family had to constantly worry about food. Mary’s mother, Mohammed’s grandmother, set her up for a better future.

Mary was trapped in an awful marriage, and just months after divorcing him, her mother managed to get Mary on a plane to America, where she could find opportunities she just didn’t have in Baghdad.

But she found some startling news just weeks later.

Pregnant

Just weeks after immigrating to America, Mary found out something startling – she was pregnant.

She didn’t owe her ex-husband anything and was across the world now.

This meant that she would have to look after her baby on her own. Many people would have seen it as a burden, but Mary saw it as a gift from God. Mohammed was her everything.

A Good Mother

Mohammed couldn’t have asked for a better mother. Mary took care of him the best she could and always taught him right from wrong.

Religion was an important factor in their home. It kept them humble and modest.

But now that she was gone, Mohammed became a wanderer. He had no home to live in and no steady job. He wandered the earth for decades until he settled down in Seattle.

Coming Back For His Mother

Mohammed came back to Seattle for his mother. It was where he grew up and where she was buried.

He visited her grave, now in his fifties. He was finally ready to settle back down and mend his broken heart.

After 35 years, he got the closure he was looking for and stayed in the area where he was close to her. But that didn’t mean life was any easier.

Difficulties

Even though his mind and heart were now at peace, he had other difficulties.

He’d never had a home as an adult, and he’d never had any leftover money after having to buy food to survive.

But he was humble and still mostly happy. At least he was alive and had his health. But he had no idea what was about to happen at a regular-looking store.

Dry Spell

When Mohammed couldn’t find as much work as he usually could, he would instead go to other means of getting money for food. He hated relying on others, but there was no other way to get by.

He’d have to ask people for money on the pavement. It felt humiliating, but he had no other choice.

Unfortunately, people often looked down on him.

Finding A Good Spot

After a few weeks of hopping from one street corner to another, Mohammed finally found a spot that felt like the best to him.

There were plenty of people walking by, and some of them would even give him a bit of change.

He would sit there for a week or two before finding a new spot. It was never a good idea to stay in the same place for too long. But he had no idea what was about to happen.

The Generosity Of Strangers

Mohammed shivered under the foil blanket on the pavement.

The only way he got by was through the generosity of the occasional stranger. To maximize this, he had to sit in areas of high traffic.

He hated the stares he got, but for every twenty people who judged him harshly, one person would give him a bit of change. But there were always people giving him trouble for no reason.

Watching His Every Move

He looked behind him as he made his way to find a spot to sit. He had many eyes watching his every move. It was like people didn’t want him on the same planet as them.

Mohammed knew how cruel people could be. He had experienced it firsthand.

Homeless people were treated like they weren’t even human beings.

A Promise To Himself

He had promised himself that he would get himself off of the streets somehow. However, it was taking longer than he had expected.

And when it finally happened, he vowed to do everything he could to help his fellow homeless people.

His dream was to open up a shelter. He would give anything to be in a shelter right now, but all of them were always full and overcrowded.

Tough On The Streets

The struggle on the streets was tough. And Mohammed had seen things that he would rather want to forget.

On more than one occasion, he had to either run for his life from thugs or he had his belongings stolen.

He already had so little, and having something stolen from him while living on the streets was soul-crushing.

Dangerous Life

Mohammed had no idea that he was about to be reminded of how tough the streets could be. He had developed street smarts, but even those couldn’t save him from the torment he was about to endure.

It wasn’t easy finding a spot that would have good foot traffic but also be safe for him.

In his daily life, everyone was against him, and that was about to be clear.

Ready To Attack

The downtrodden man sat at a new corner, thinking that it would be safe for a day or two, and had no idea what part of town he was muscling into.

As soon as he sat down there, a man watched his every moon, ready to attack.

Mohammed was unaware that this part of the street was owned by a gang that didn’t take kindly to others moving in.

Dread

Mohammed had adapted to street living and had developed a kind of “sixth sense” for danger. Today, he felt his stomach twist. Dread crept up his spine as he wondered what was wrong.

He looked around until he locked eyes with a man standing across the street from him. He was staring daggers back.

Mohammed immediately knew that he’d have to run if he wanted to survive, but it was too late.

On The Run

Mohammed sprang up and grabbed the little belongings he had before running for his life.

The man across the street took chase, and the race was on. Mohammed, who had been malnourished for longer than he could remember, wouldn’t make it far.

He knew that if he stayed out in the open for long, he would end up on the wrong end of a knife. He needed to think smart. Then he saw it.

His Only Chance

The man ran as fast as his legs would carry him. He passed people on the street, but he already knew in his heart that they wouldn’t do anything to save him.

Why would they when it would only be putting their own life in danger?

He knew that he had to come up with a different solution. Then he saw the blinking lights above a door. It was his only chance.

Safety

He went toward the store that he could see. It wasn’t far, but the man behind him wasn’t far off either.

He had to push himself beyond his limits. His heart raced like an Olympic runner going for gold as he raced towards his only safety.

The closer he got, the better he knew his chances were. But he had no idea that his luck wasn’t going to get any better once he was inside.

Out Of The Frying Pan

With a final surge of adrenaline, Mohammed managed to cross the threshold into the store.

He was sure that it would be enough to stop the deranged gang member from following him any further.

But he turned back in horror as he saw the man smile at him, put his knife away, and then walk into the store. He was in trouble.

Into The Fire

Mohammed’s blood ran cold as he watched the gang member walk into the store.

Without the knife, he was just another citizen. He blended in perfectly with other shops. He knew he’d have to outlast him, but he wasn’t exactly welcomed in a place like this.

He looked to the clerk behind the counter, who had already noticed him. His look was anything but kind, but he didn’t know that Mohammed’s life was in his hands.

Safe Haven

As long as Mohammed could be in the store, he knew that it was a safe haven. But that meant that he had to stay in there long enough for the man to give up. The problem with that was that the clerk was most likely going to kick him out.

People like Mohammed weren’t normally welcome inside stores.

He was seen as a “dirty” person who would drive other customers out. Was this going to be one of those times?

A Disgusted Look

The clerk had noticed the pair that had just walked in. He didn’t look pleased at all.

He slowly got up from the counter and started walking towards them. Mohammed feared the worst.

The man walked towards him with a disgusted look on his face. He got to the aisle he was hiding in and said, “Hey, get out of my store now!” Mohammed’s heart sank.

Wrong Guy

The clerk’s words cut through Mohammed like a knife. He felt anxiety rise up his chest as he knew he was made. But as he looked at the clerk, he realized that he had misunderstood.

He was the wrong guy. The clerk wasn’t directing his voice at him.

Mohammed breathed a sigh of relief – but he was only celebrating early.

Kicked Out

The clerk was talking to the man who had chased Mohammed three blocks. The man took issue with being kicked out, and Mohammed was now worried that he would retaliate with violence.

But Mohammed was surprised to find that the man, as angry as he looked, stormed towards the door.

But it was far from over, and both Mohammed and the store clerk were now marked for death.

Chilling Words

The man got to the door before staring back at the store clerk and saying something that made Mohammed’s spine shiver. He said four chilling words that would echo in his mind.

“You’ll regret this!” He said before turning back and leaving the store.

The clerk didn’t look phased by it, but he didn’t know what Mohammed did. He turned to thank him, but he wasn’t met with kindness.

Get Out!

“Thank you…” Mohammed started to say, but the clerk cut him off. “You’re bad for business. I helped you out this once, but you need to go too. Just walk the opposite way he did.”

Mohammed had bittersweet feelings, but he decided to take the man’s advice. He headed towards the exit and left. But he had a nagging feeling that told him to stick around.

He decided that he’d keep a closer eye on the clerk from now on.

Wandering Around 

As Mohammed walked down the pavement, he remembered his first night on the streets of Seattle. He wandered around aimlessly, trying to figure out what he was going to and where he was going to find shelter for the night.

It was a particularly cold night, and Mohammed came across an alleyway that had a small covering.

He thought it was perfect until he felt a hand on his shoulder.

His First Bad Experience

That was his first bad experience on the streets. The men roughed him up and took what little money he had.

He was told that the alleyway belonged to them and if he ever set foot there again, he would regret it.

From that day on, he made sure to be mindful of where he took shelter. If only these people knew what he had gone through.

Someone Behind Him

Mohammed had finally found a street corner that seemed like the perfect spot to sit down at. Between the generosity of strangers and the odd jobs he did, he was getting by okay.

Another perk was that it was right outside the store he had run into just a day before.

He hadn’t initially realized – he wasn’t familiar with this part of town. This meant that he’d see if any more trouble sparked.

Expecting Another Stranger

Mohammed somehow felt tied to the clerk. But he had no idea that the man really meant it when he wanted him gone. Soon, he was going to make sure that he was aware of it.

He still had no home, but the harsh pavement would have to do for now. But then he noticed a shadow appear over him.

He expected it to be another stranger, but it wasn’t.

Silhouette

He squinted to get a better look at the silhouette against the sun, but his blood ran cold as he noticed who it was. It was the shop owner of the store he was sitting outside of, and he didn’t look happy.

“I want you to leave now!” The man said. It was the clerk from the other day. He had no idea why Mohammed was there.

Mohammed had dealt with angry store clerks before, but this time, it was different.

Unpleasant Encounter

The shop owner, a stout man with a stern expression, loomed over Mohammed like a storm cloud ready to unleash its fury.

Mohammed hesitated for a moment, his mind racing through memories of previous encounters with authority figures who had shunned him.

People treated him like the dirt under their shoes. If only they knew that he meant no harm.

Packing Up

With a heavy heart, he began packing up his meager belongings, feeling a mixture of anger and helplessness.

The owner’s eyes bore into him as he stuffed his few possessions into a worn-out backpack. To him, Mohammed looked like trouble.

Mohammed couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being judged not just for being homeless but for something deeper.

A Plan For Him?

Little did he know that his compliance with the shop owner’s demand would lead to a chain of events that would alter the course of his life.

As he walked away from the storefront, Mohammed couldn’t help but wonder if the universe had a plan for him or if this was just another twist of fate.

Less Than Human

Life had already dealt him an unlucky hand, and being told to move from places where he had settled made him feel less than human, especially when he got the dirty looks that accompanied the rude remarks.

He wished that he could get out of his situation.

He hoped God had not forgotten about him.

Don’t Come Back

As he picked up the last of his things, the shop owner made it very clear to Mohammed that he didn’t want to see him there ever again.

“Please don’t come back here and use my shop as your personal shelter, or else I will be forced to call the authorities, and we don’t want that, now do we?” the man said in a stern voice.

Packing His Things

As much as Mohammed wanted to stand his ground, he knew that, generally, it wasn’t a good idea to get on the wrong side of a business owner. He reluctantly started packing his things.

He would miss the spot right by the store, but he could park on the other side of the street.

Maybe he’d still get some kindness that way. But he had no idea what was going to happen.

Kicked Out Again

Mohammed had been kicked out again. He stared at the shop owner with a pleading look in his eyes. But the man didn’t care where he went, as long as it wasn’t outside of his store.

The owner showed no compassion whatsoever to the homeless man. Where would he go now?

But neither of the men knew that in just a few days’ time, the owner would learn an expensive lesson.

Respecting His Wishes

Mohammed respected the shop owner’s wishes and sat on the other side of the street, watching people come and go into his store. But it wasn’t going to stay that way for long.

Just a few days later, Mohammed was asleep on the pavement when he heard screaming, “Help!” A familiar voice rang out onto the street.

Mohammed opened his eyes and looked at the store.

Blood Running Cold

The man who had kicked him away from his store just days before was now the one who was begging Mohammed for help. But what Mohammed saw made his blood run cold.

It might have been karma or maybe divine intervention. But did the man deserve what was happening to him?

Mohammed had a big decision to make, and it would change his life forever.

A Normal Man

Mohammed couldn’t believe what he was seeing from the other side of the street.

Just ten minutes earlier, he had seen a man in a grey beanie walk into the store. But he hadn’t thought anything of it.

But now he understood the gravity of the situation. He could see the unassuming customer from the shop window at the counter. But what he was holding made his blood run cold.

Being Held Up

The grey-knitted beanie was now over the man’s face, giving him complete anonymity.

But to make things even worse, he was holding a gun in his hands and pointing it at the store owner.

He was frantically crying out for help. But the shoppers did nothing to help. All they did was run out of the store in horror.

Didn’t Deserve It

No matter how rude the store clerk had been to him, he didn’t deserve to be robbed, or even worse.

He couldn’t stand by and watch the man lose his life for no good reason.

He knew that he would have to help him in some way. If the roles were reversed, he knew that he would want someone to save him. But what could a homeless man do?

No Phone

He had no phone to call the police. But he did have his faith that everything would work out with his intervention.

Without delaying anymore, he got up and hurried across the street to the store.

He carefully opened the door so the robber didn’t hear him. As he got closer, he started to hear the conversation closely. “Please don’t hurt me,” The owner begged him. But he wasn’t in a generous mood.

Fighting Back

The robber seemed to get enjoyment from making the shop owner beg and squirm for his life. It disgusted Mohammed.

What would his mother think of this? He knew that no matter what happened, God would protect him.

He approached the robber from behind, and that’s when the shop owner saw him in the security monitor behind the counter. He looked past the robber at Mohammed and nodded, affirming his presence.

Fighting Together

The store clerk needed to distract the robber. He silently knew this and tried grabbing the gun from the robber.

A struggle started, one that he would lose. But Mohammed was there to grab him from behind.

Mohammed slammed the robber on his back from behind, and the store owner managed to get hold of the gun.

United By Circumstance

The sudden commotion caught the attention of the few remaining customers who hadn’t fled the store.

They watched in shock as the unlikely duo, a homeless man and a shop owner, fought back against the armed robber.

The struggle intensified, with Mohammed and the shop owner working together to subdue the criminal. It was a surreal scene—a homeless man and a business owner, united by circumstance, standing up against a common threat.

The Gun Goes Off

As they wrestled the gun away, a single gunshot echoed through the store.

Panic ensued as everyone hit the floor, fearing the worst. Mohammed’s heart raced, unsure if he had just witnessed the tragedy unfold before his eyes.

All he really wanted was to help, and hoped that no innocent people would get hurt in the process. He said a silent prayer, asking God for help.

Relief

To their relief, the gunshot had not hit anyone.

The store owner, now in possession of the weapon, held the robber at bay until the police arrived.

Mohammed stood there, catching his breath, realizing that he had just played a crucial role in a dangerous situation. He was grateful that God had helped him and everyone in the shop to be safe.

Grateful

The police arrived swiftly, arresting the would-be robber and commending Mohammed and the shop owner for their courage. As the adrenaline wore off, Mohammed looked at the store owner with a newfound sense of respect.

The man who had once scorned him was now grateful for his intervention.

Word spread about the unlikely heroes, and soon, news outlets covered the story of the homeless man who had saved a shop owner from a potentially tragic fate. The community rallied behind Mohammed, offering support and assistance.

Thanking Him

After the cops had taken the robber away, it was just the store owner and Mohammed now. The owner looked at him and thanked him for his help. He also apologized for his behavior and said that he felt very ashamed of himself.

He’d even give him a loaf of bread every day as a way of saying thanks. After explaining who he was and where he came from, the shop owner told him he’d always support him from now on.

Mohammed finally had a friend, one he would never forget. But the shop owner had one last offer for Mohammed.

An Offer He Couldn’t Refuse

The shop owner, humbled by the experience, reconsidered his judgmental attitude. He extended a genuine offer of gratitude to Mohammed, inviting him to stay in a spare room above the store, as well as an offer to help him in the store.

Mohammed, with a mix of gratitude and disbelief, found himself with a roof over his head and a job for the first time in years. Little did he know that this unexpected turn of events would be the catalyst for a new chapter in his life—one where he would strive to fulfill his promise to help others in need.