The other day, one of my buddies at work stopped at my desk asking if I wanted Chinese for lunch. I explained to him that I had no money, but he insisted and offered to pay. So I was game; I needed to get away anyway. We went to our usual place, a Chinese buffet with very good food at a very good price. After venting about work over crab rangoon and vegetable lo mein, he got the check along with our fortune cookies.

Mine said, “Your financial outlook is excellent.”

His said, “Be generous, and the favor will be returned within the week.”

I bought him lunch the next day.