A hotel maid, my mother, faced a rude and wealthy guest, Ms. Johnson, who constantly demeaned her. Despite the disrespect, my mother remained composed and continued her work diligently. Ms. Johnson spilled coffee on the freshly cleaned floor and mocked her, saying, “Well done for a maid. You didn’t even talk back to me.”

The next day, anticipating more harassment, my mother discovered Ms. Johnson’s laptop unattended. She politely asked her to move it, maintaining her professionalism. “Excuse me, ma’am, I need to dust the table. Would you mind closing your laptop?” she asked. Later, she subtly placed a small packet under the bed, causing an unpleasant smell to develop over time.

Ms. Johnson soon complained to the hotel manager about the odor, prompting my mother to remove the packet discreetly. Ms. Johnson’s frustrations grew when she missed an important package with her plane tickets and dress. My mother delayed its delivery just enough to cause Ms. Johnson to miss her event.

In the end, my mother taught Ms. Johnson a lesson in humility through quiet defiance. “Sometimes,” she reflected, “the best revenge is simply letting people experience the consequences of their own actions.”