A storekeeper in a convenience store in the Bronx, New York City, lets customers grab whatever they want in the store for five seconds if they can answer a math problem right.
Twenty-year-old Ahmed Alwan looks after Lucky Candy, a small bodega or convenience store owned by his family. He initially started the game to play with kids, but is now continuing it to help out the less fortunate in his neighborhood, as per The New York Post on Jan. 31.
Alwan shares videos of him playing the game with the customers on his Instagram account (@_itsmedyy_). In one of his videos last Feb. 1, he can be heard telling a customer named Jessica she could have whatever she wants in the store if she answers his question correctly.
“Jessica, if you get this question right, you have 5 seconds to pick up whatever you want,” Alwan said. “7 times 7 plus 10.”
“59,” Jessica answered. She then scrambled to fill a box with snacks, bananas and a newspaper while Alwan counted in the background. She also jokingly grabbed his hand, saying, “I want you too!”
Alwan has been working in his father’s store since he was 14 years old, as per TODAY on Feb. 7. He is also a fan of math, and now that he’s older, is using math and compassion to help the people in the community who may be struggling to get by.
“Ive always helped out people in the neighborhood. They’ve known me since I was a little kid. I know half of them by name and, ya know, sometimes they need credit,” Alwan told TODAY. “This neighborhood has a lot of poor people. I see people — some of whom are close customers — sleeping on the train. I used to give them buttered rolls, coffee and banana for free in the morning.”
Customers usually grab snacks, although a lot of them also ask for cash, as per Alwan. He gives the money to them, usually up to $25 or around P1,200.
Alwan first shared his videos on social networking site TikTok last Jan. 27. His videos immediately got popular and have since amassed more than 5 million likes, as per the report. Alwan did not expect his videos would get as much attention, sharing he was shocked since his intention was to just to make others happy while also giving them a helping hand. It is reported that the game has not affected the family business, since Alwan pays for the gifts out of his own pocket. /ra
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