Stories of Kindness from Around the World

An Surprise Gift

Last week I went to a different grocery store than usual, just to check it out.  The person in front of me at the checkout was pregnant and purchasing a couple of containers of milk.  No big deal, she would be done quickly and I could be on my way.  Her method of payment was a WIC card and it kept telling her that it wasn't working.  A manager came over and told her to come to a different register, maybe this one was the problem.  After I checked out, I noticed she was still there, trying to get her card to work.  It was obvious that the young woman was getting anxious about the purchase so I offered to pay for her purchase.  She was shocked that I had even offered and very humbly accepted.  She thanked me and I went on my way with a smile from her. Everyone needs ... Read Full Story >>

Rupees Or Bananas

Helping On The Way To A Job Interview

I had a job interview this morning at 10.30 in a place which was quite far from my house.    I had asked my brother to drop me at the bus stop. But, just my bad luck, he was running late and it was already 9.45 before I reached the bus stop. Anyway, I caught my first bus and had to wait at another stop for the second one.    Then, in front of my eyes, a little girl (who may have been a beggar) was hit by a car! The car drove off without stopping. The girl was badly hurt in her hands and legs. She was bleeding heavily, and was screaming in pain. After a few seconds she fainted.   People standing nearby didn't seem to know what to do, not even the traffic policeman who was watching it all!   I ran over and called for an auto. A beggar, who seemed to be the ... Read Full Story >>

A Little Effort To Help Make Someone Happy

During this last week in my city we had the Calgary Stampede.  It's a big event in our city with a lot of excitment for everyone, kids expecially.  There are rides and games that children can go on and win things. 

I decided on Friday that I was going to take my younger cousin so he could go on the rides.  As we were walking up to a big Euro slide ride we saw a little boy who was waiting to go up too.  The ride operated stopped him and said he was too small to go on alone. He looked like he was about to cry until I said to his mother that if she didn't mind I would take him on the ride with me and my cousin.  This seemed to make him happy and he really seemed to enjoy the short ride. 

It is a small thing to do but I'm glad that just a little bit of effort on my part made someone happy.  It made me happy in the process too. 

A Small Gesture on a Hot Day

I work in a school.  Yesterday we had a whole bunch of textbooks delivered.

When the delivery man arrived, he asked for a different way to bring the boxes in as he said it would be dififcult with the stairs at the front door. 

There is a way through a different entrance which has ramps.  He used the ramp to bring in over 50 heavy boxes of textbooks.  He was sweaty, grumpy and complaining as he was stacking them up outside my office. 

A coworker said what a ray of "sunshine" he was. She was being sarcastic, of course.  I just said that it is really hot and he's probably just wants to go home by this time of the day when it's 90 degrees outside.

When he was finished stacking all the boxes, he came to me to sign for the packages.  I had kept a bottle of water ready for him and offered it to him. He was so thankful and left with a smile.

I hope this little gesture helped brighten up his attitude for his next delivery.

Secret Agents Spreading Smiles!

Today my champion-of-kindness daughter and I set out on one of our kindness missions.  A while back we did some random drops of envelopes filled with a dollar, Smile cards, and a note asking them to pay it forward. Today we tried a similar experiment and it was my little 6 year old’s idea.   We put a different spin on it this time. She wanted to watch people open them, as last time we loved the few we did see. So this time when we left an envelope, we watched from somewhere nearby. We made sure to only leave them when we couldn’t be caught.   The first one someone grabbed and walked off. We only followed them for a bit and then thought it best to move on to our next “victim”. The second one we sat across from and watched. It was a family who found it. The skeptical husband thought for ... Read Full Story >>

Tara Walks

Kindness Adventures of "Boss Lady"

[Posting on behalf of a friend who I met at a recent dinner and was inspired by the intention behind Smile Cards.] Chapter One: It was Christmas Eve for most people – for me, and my longest-standing friend Lanie, it was just another Saturday night. We were going to meet for a waterside dinner on the Northern shore of Long Island before I headed onto I-95 on my way back to Providence. I arrived about 45 minutes early and on impulse popped into the Nail Salon a few doors up from the restaurant. The owner approached me asking what services I wanted. “Manicure” I answered. “Manicure Pedicure” she chirped. “No, just manicure today – I only have 45 minutes.” "Manicure Pedicure," she re-chirped. "Manicure Pedicure 45 minutes!" She walked me to the back of the salon, pointed to a chair, turned to her staff and without a seconds pause, she pulled up a chair ... Read Full Story >>

Letting The New Tenant In

I came home one afternoon and found a lady inside the building where I live. She seemed a bit confused but introduced herself as the lady from the housing agency. She was wondering how best to arrange access for a new tenant on Saturday at 4pm, because she could not be there herself. I had been looking for the opportunity to talk to someone about fixing my window shutters. So, assuming God had sent her, I asked her.   She asked if I would be around at that time to let the new person in and I said I wasn't sure, but I offered to ask if any of the other residents would be around. None of them were sure either.  I told the lady this and forgot about it.    On Saturday morning I had to go for shopping. It was hot and when I came home it was 3pm and I just wanted to ... Read Full Story >>

A Little Sister's Love for Her Brother

It was several years ago when my brother was diagnosed with MS (multiple sclerosis). The message was hard to grasp for my parents as well as myself.   At the time , he could barely walk or stand -- he either used a cane or was in his bed.  He didn't want to do anything for himself: he didn't want to get out of bed and he ate all the wrong foods for his body (junkfood). He was basically  giving up and letting go.  It was hard to understand why he is doing this. Our parents wake up every day to go to work and help my brother who I think, thinks nothing of their very kind and very strenuous efforts to help him.  You may have heard of the term, "God helps those who help themselves," but he wasn't helping himself. I then decided to take matters into my own hands. I walked to his apartment and told him ... Read Full Story >>

An Ice-Cream Treat

I had just paid for my shopping at the checkout today and I was leaving, I heard the lady behind me ask the assistant how much a little packet of ice cream cost. 

The lady had the ice cream packet in her shopping basket, but was afraid that she would not be able to afford it.

I offered to pay for the ice cream for her so she did not have to worry.  She was so happy.  

Supper Time Kindness

The wife of a friend of mine is very ill.  I decided to cook supper for their family.  I prepared the meal and packed it up carefully in plastic boxes.  

Then I drove to their house and left it on their doorstep for them. No cooking for that family tonight!

Waiting For YOU To Call

I had a friend who was very close to me. He was more like a little brother to me. I loved helping him and he did the same for me!

Postcards To Strangers

I went to the Head Post Department of Baroda and have purchased four hundred postcards. 

Tending a Garden With Love

I know my daughter loves the fresh veggies from her garden but often her garden becomes overgrown with weeds because she doesn't have time to tend to it.  I have made a habit of caring for her garden and love to see how happy she is when she notices the freshly turned soil, all weed-free and watered. I can't always do this because it depends on how much my arthritis is acting up, but it's such a joy to do it when I can.  

A Big Gesture to Help a Friend in Need

My friend's husband left her suddenly, taking the car and leaving her with the mortgage.  She was left with 3 children to take care of.  

My friend had no way to get the kids to school and get to her job on time without a car. I told her I would see to it everything will be okay.  I wanted to do something to help her.

Later that day, I drove to her job and handed over the keys to a brand new Cadillac Escalade and the title.  This would mean she could get her kids to school and get to her job on time.  

The only thing I asked for in return was 1 dollar.

Memorable Moment With A Disturbed Angel

I was praying in church on my own on a Monday afternoon. A woman in her twenties came in. She placed her bundle of dirty clothes next to me and sat down. 

Comic Books For An Elderly Neighbour

There is an elderly lady in our neighborhood who spends her evening sitting on her garden swing reading comics.  

A Homeless Woman Bought Me A Coffee!

My father and I started our morning by darting into the local grocery store. I waited on line at the Starbucks counter while he shopped around to pick up a few things.  As I was standing there I became aware of an elderly woman, hair disheveled, wearing layers upon layers of old torn clothing, hunched behind me in line.   She had a few toiletries and seemed to want the Starbucks cashier to ring up since that queue was shorter than the grocery store queues were.    At some point I became aware of her edging closer behind me - closer than I was comfortable with! I instinctively placed a hand over my purse and drew it closer to me. My fear and imagination raced creating wild stories about this homeless woman who might try to steal from me. Then it was my turn to order. As the barista rang up my total I discovered I ... Read Full Story >>

Easter Kindness Amongst the HelpOthers Community

Some beautiful stories of Easter acts of kindness, as reported by Smile Group members of HelpOthers.org ... trionafaye shared: "Made some Easter sugar cookies. Shared them with the staff at the nursing home for the great care they provide for my mother but to offer them a little treat, as they have worked the Easter holiday." wooka85257 shared:"made my 93 year old mother an Easter basket and set it on her walker to find in the morning. She was like a little kid... exclaiming over all the chocolates and the goodies inside. Happy, happy!" HappinessCountsT shared:"Helped my mom to set up my little sisters princess Easter basket. I also gave her old pink Easter basket cause she's turning four years old on Tuesday" HappyDae shared:"Put a little Easter Basket of candy on the kitchen table with an "I love you" card for my sweet husband to find. He was so surprised...Big Smile!!" Jennypoo shared:"My son and I hid colorful plastic eggs filled ... Read Full Story >>