Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Paws To Help

We were at the vet's surgery waiting for our dog's regular checkup when my husband overheard a conversation between the receptionist and an older man.

A Quiet Lesson from Steve

A few weeks ago, our dog, who we've had for more than a decade, had to be put down. First, a tumour on her pancreas exploded, and she had to have emergency surgery. Then, the arthritis in her back got so bad that sometimes she would lie down in the middle of a walk and refuse to take another step. When I first found out, I was devestated. She was more like a sister to me than a pet. But if I'm honest, I was also angry at my stepfather, Steve, who informed us that she had been put down a week after it happened. He waited because he didn't want to worry us, and he didn't want me to get distracted and fail my exams. We thought she was still being treated at the veterinarian. I think you can imagine all the thoughts that went through my head: She's my dog too! Why didn't ... Read Full Story >>

A Not-So-Ordinary Wee Man

He was just an ordinary wee man, shakily collecting his cutlery while the waitress kindly took his meal to a table. He was a regular and she knew he couldn’t manage on his own.  I stopped next to him to get some napkins. After a couple of faltering attempts he managed to pick up a yellow sachet. Then he asked me, “Is this sugar?”  Guessing his eyes were weak I explained that he had picked up sweeteners by mistake. “This is sugar,” I handed him two white sachets, “and the brown packs are Demerara (brown sugar,) but I doubt you’d know the difference once it was in your tea.” “Oh, wouldn’t I?” he responded. Then he proceeded to tell me of the years he spent as a younger man in Trinidad refining sugar and exporting it all over the world. He told me how the different kinds of sugar were made and what each was used ... Read Full Story >>

Car Park Cell Phone

Watermelon Smiles

In Mother's Memory

18 Holes Of Happiness

There is a golf course a couple miles from where I live and I used to go fishing at a pond there, usually first thing in the morning.    There used to be a guy named Daniel who would come every morning and do maintenance work. It's an 18 hole golf course, really big. He had a morning routine of things he had to do including mowing the grass, putting up the flags at each hole, etc.    He's a really nice guy. We often chatted about different things and we got used to seeing each other there. This morning, I decided that I would do something for him. So, I drove down to the golf course at about 6:30 am and got all the flags for the golf course (which they keep outside by the clubhouse) and went and put them up at each of the holes. This is one the main things ... Read Full Story >>

Free Money At Walmart

I hand-designed some of my own Smile cards. One is for "hiding" money in unexpected places. It basically says I hope that this will be found by someone who really needs it.  So, I went to a local Walmart here in Hawaii and placed a $20 bill with the card behind a product. I then went to another aisle to see who found it. I so wanted to see how they reacted!    After a while a lady found the money and the note. Then she looked around to see if she could identify who left it. To my surprise she put it back! I guess she really didn't need it. She then went to another aisle to watch who would find the money!   After about another seven minutes a lady with a young boy found the money. They too started looking around and even at the ceiling! I guess they were looking for ... Read Full Story >>

Happy Birthday, Stranger

The Veteran And His Buddy

We live in central Phoenix, near the canal. Every day I used to see a homeless man and his scruffy little dog hanging out down there.   I would tell my fiance we should give him food for the little dog. It wouldn't have been a problem, we have our own "mini farm" of animals! But he would say yeah then blow the idea off.    Being in Phoenix, Arizona you can just imagine how hot it gets here, but this winter was really cold! I had just come from KFC with take-out food. As I was turning by the canal the man and his dog were sitting right there all bundled up. Even the doggy had a coat on!     Not even thinking about it I pulled into the parking lot along the canal and piled up a plate plate of chicken with all the fixings for the man and his little buddy. ... Read Full Story >>

Lunch For Two In PennStation

On my way to a destination in upper New York State, I needed to make a bus transfer and so had to wait at a lower level at Penn Station.  The bus was not expected for an hour and I was hungry. But I had a large suitcase with me and could not go up a level to buy myself something to eat.   I saw a young man in shabby clothes going through a garbage can. He seemed to be searching for food. So, I called him over to me and asked him if he would do a favor for me. If I gave him $20, would he please go upstairs and get me a tuna fish sandwich and an iced tea? Then he could buy himself whatever he wanted and bring me back my lunch and the change. He said, "Sure!" and took the $20 eagerly.   Thirty minutes passed and there was ... Read Full Story >>

Slum School Birthday

Water For The Salesman

Today a young door to door salesman knocked on my door. Unfortunately, I could not buy what he was selling but I made sure to give him all of the attention that he needed and remain pleasant throughout his short presentation. 

Sharing Cake In China

My wife and I went to Wallmart in Sehkou, China, where we bought some cool drinks and cakes.  In front of the Wallmart is a nice little garden with benches for people to relax on. We sat there and started enjoying the things we had just bought.    There were ten slices of cakes in the bag and we couldn't eat all of them. I wanted to share, but with whom?    I saw a man walked along with a broom, cleaning the garden area. I thought I would give him some of the cakes but I didn't know enough Chinese to explain what I wanted to do. I gave up that idea.    Then a young boy appeared. He was looking into the trash can for something.    Ohh, my heart sank. He was looking for food!   We had just finished three of the ten slices. So, I didn't wait any longer. I took the seven remaining slices of ... Read Full Story >>

The Long Three-Legged Walk

I was doing some yard-work yesterday. It was a mellow evening and I was making the most of it. Now, there is a path that runs alongside our garden fence. After I had been out there a while I heard a neighbors' voice coming from the path. "That's no place to be sleeping!" he said. "What a ridiculous state to get yourself into. Get up and get home. I'm telling you, you'd better not be there when I get back!"   I looked over the fence as the neighbor walked away. There didn't seem to be anyone else there.   Then I looked down. There was a man lying on his back on the path with his eyes closed. I recognized him. I had seen him doing the drunkard's walk along that path on several occasions.   My mind went over the telling off I had just overheard and a little voice in my head said, "Oh, ... Read Full Story >>

Love Messages In Unexpected Places

  I was traveling to visit my sister who lives a few states away. It was about a six hour drive and I stopped at quite a few gas stations along the way. One stop was in a small town that looked just like countless others I had passed on my way, but it turned out to be very different.   When I entered the gas station the two girls working at the register smiled and said hello. They had a very friendly, welcoming energy and I smiled and greeted them back. Then I made my way to the restroom. I was surprised to see that there were positive messages written all over the stalls!   Now, I'm not advocating graffiti here, but this experience did inspire me to leave positive messages in bathroom stalls on post-its, along with pens & blank post-its for others to add, during my next road trip!   I took a picture ... Read Full Story >>

We Are Love

I have two friends who were financially strapped and needed my help on two occasions. The first guy, was in his final year in University while I was in my third year. He needed some money for school fees and other academic purposes, and he came to me. Being a student and I didn't have much, but I gave him what he needed on the agreement that he would pay back. I didn't bother him after that. I never asked when he'd pay back. Later on, after he finished  school, he got into another period of deep financial stress and called me on the phone. He asked to borrow some more money, pleading that he'd pay all of it back once he lands a job. Out of kindness, I still gave him the exact amount he needed, which was twice the amount I had given him initially. He was so grateful. Its so ... Read Full Story >>

Kindness for my Inner Child

I used to teach elementary school. A few days ago, I found a stash of toys and other things that I had used as prizes.  They were small prizes like little cars, bouncing balls, animal cards, pencils with fun "grippers," and bracelets.  I decided they 'd be a perfect giveaway for a random act of kindness. 

As I looked through the toys, I decided to gift them in pairs (with a smile card) so that the child (or whoever finds the toy) can share one of the toys if s/he wanted with a friend (another kindness opportunity!).  Today I thought about where I could drop them off... I had a few different ideas, but ended up deciding on park playgrounds.  I went to a few different playgrounds within a few blocks of each other and hid the prizes. 

While going around the playgrounds, I felt that this was another random act of kindness for my inner child. Plus, lots of fun! :)

For Six Months

We’ll never know who did it.  We aren’t supposed to know.  For six consecutive months someone paid our electric bill. The monthly payments were always paid with cash.  Following each payment, we received a hand-written receipt in the mail, often accompanied by words of encouragement. The first time we opened up the sealed envelope, tears streamed down my face. Tears streamed down my husband’s face. The second time our electric bill was anonymously paid, we also cried, and we continued to shed tears month after month, as our most basic needs were met through generosity. Initially, I felt embarrassed. My pride nearly overshadowed the acceptance of such a generous blessing.  However, I soon realized that the giver must have sensed a genuine need. The need was well beyond what I willingly confessed. Our family’s needs were more extensive than we realized. Not only was my family helped monetarily but our ... Read Full Story >>

Sharing Water In The Nature Park

I took a long walk in the local nature park this morning. I do that most mornings. It really makes a great start to the day! I usually walk up this nice long road that goes back into the woods. It's so quiet and pleasant and there are so many green trees.