Stories of Kindness from Around the World

No Glass Ceiling, Just Blue Sky


--by Marcy Blochowiak, posted Jun 1, 2007
Kindness, as Mother Teresa so beautifully said, is the only language that we all understand. We’ve all heard the saying, “What goes around comes around,” and the following true story is a wonderful reminder of how simple acts of kindness can come back to us when we least expect it.
 
His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day, while trying to make a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog. He dropped his tools and ran to the bog. There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death.
 
The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman’s sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved.
 
“I want to repay you,” said the nobleman. “You saved my son’s life.” “No, I can’t accept payment for what I did,” the Scottish farmer replied, waving off the offer. At that moment, the farmer’s own son came to the door of the family home.
 
“Is that your son?” the nobleman asked.
 
“Yes,” the farmer replied proudly.
 
“I’ll make you a deal. Let me provide him with the level of education my own son will enjoy. If the lad is anything like his father, he’ll no doubt grow to be a man we both will be proud of.” And that he did. Farmer Fleming’s son attended the very best schools and, in time, graduated from St. Mary’s Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin.
 
Years afterward, the same nobleman’s son who was saved from the bog, was stricken with pneumonia.
 
What saved his life this time? Penicillin.

The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill. His son’s name? Sir Winston Churchill.
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Readers Comments

xxCUPCAKExx wrote: Wow that's so cool!


I never heard this before.


But now it's one of my favorite stories!


N______________n <3
NANCY wrote: I just want to help in some small way
Jim wrote: The story is an great example of the affect of helping others. It does not have to be true to provide a good point.
Jos wrote: The Universe really does provide!
JuneBug wrote: I've heard this before, but to read it again is a reminder of how things may turn out...
lovebug wrote: My husband has a niece named Marcy,and she is married to a man called to be a minister, or is that pastor. I have a son who is called to be a missionary, and a advocate for the young. My Husbands family and even my own by blood has no bearing on myself. I was called to be kind. It is enough for me.
tesa wrote: What a fabulous story about generosity's boomerang effects!
marlo wrote: wow,gives you goosebumps....
just a fable wrote: This fable is wonderful but it is not the truth. The quick check can be found here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Fleming
FREEhugsROCK wrote: oooooooooohhhhhh... i just got shivers ALL the way up and down my spine. awesome!

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