Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Lessons from an Orphan

Last year our school's interactive club went to the orphanage  to donate clothes, food and money to the orphans there. I was one of the volunteers to go. It was so touching!! All the orphans there came out to thank us.

There was one orphan who's name was mal who had been neglected by her parents. She showed me how fortunate I was. She was a jovial child who love to smile. Mal offered me a packet of twisties to me the ones give to them by our students.

I realised that if an orphan can give something to me, why can't someone who has everything  provided for them give out a little bit?

1545 Reads

Let Me Talk To Your Manager!

Today as I was filling up my car with gas at a local gas station, I ran into problems with my debit card and was forced to have the attendant reset the pump.  This has not happened to me many times, but I have been victim of my own fumbling fingers on occasion. The attendant that helped me out went out of their way to make sure that my experience with their station, with my purchase and that little part of my morning was ideal.  When I entered the station to pay for my gas manually (I had given up on the pump at this point) he explained to me that he saw I was in a little bit of a hurry and wanted to help me out.  It wasn't much for him to do.  He recognized that I was having troubles and reacted pleasantly and effectively.  He could just as ... Read Full Story >>

1877 Reads

While Yet There Is Time

Many years ago when I was in college, I came across this very inspirational poem: While Yet There is Time   The hours slip past, Our moments melt into the eternity behind us Time sweeps us onto a destination from which there is no return. While yet there is time, Look out upon the world, Devour it with your eyes, And if your spirit demands more Add at least one stone to the edifice being built Fill your lungs with the smell of flowers, Let the first cool breath of dawn blow through your hair While yet there is time Let us greet the dawn together, While yet there is time, Love and be loved, Let your thoughts throw light in dark places, Let your lips blossom in a smile. While yet there is time, Let the hand of a friend feel the warmth of your hand, How much we have to do, to create, to express. While yet there is time Graft a slender bough to a mighty tree Do not say I love to ... Read Full Story >>

6263 Reads

Positive People Make A Difference

Over the past year my family and I have had some very tough times.  From financial to physical, it just seemed as if we had Murphy's Law plastered across our foreheads. It also seems as if when you're struggling, you gravitate toward people who are in similar situations.  How do you become positive when everything and everyone around you is negative? My wife and I were fed up. We wanted to get out of our rut, change our lives and ultimately become an example for our family and friends. To show them that life is truly what you make it in any given situation. Everything happens purposefully. I was at work and my wife called me in a panic over car trouble. She was late for everything; she had to pick up the kids, etc. I consoled her with words like "be strong" everything will "be alright" just "be careful" etc. When I ... Read Full Story >>

2332 Reads

My Daughter The Good Friend

When I dropped my 3 1/2 year old daughter off at day care yesterday, one of her friends was sitting at a table alone crying. She sometimes gets upset when her mom leaves. My daughter plays with her and they are good friends. When we were sitting down and saw the little girl crying, I asked my daughter if she might want to go and sit by her sad friend. She said "Yes, I don't want her to be sad", scooped up her breakfast and went and sat by her friend. I watched her share her cereal and talk to the little girl. As I walked to my car I was very happy to see that my little girl has a kind heart. When I got home last night, I asked her how her day was. She said it was good and that her friend wasn't sad anymore. She was proud to have ... Read Full Story >>

4915 Reads

Comforts Of Home

We recently went to St. Louis from New England via train. On our return trip, the train was late arriving in Boston. About an hour before our arrival, we knew we'd miss our connection to the last bus to our home in NH. I pulled out the cell phone and my husband called around trying to find a hotel close to the station. No luck. The lady in the seat across from us had slept most of the trip so we didn't get to know her along the way. When we finished calling around for a hotel, she requested use of our cell phone to make arrangements to be picked up at the train station. We obliged. My hubby and I started talking about what we would do, and finally I told him it was so late that we might as well stay in the station and wait ... Read Full Story >>

1885 Reads

Sharing My Photography Skills

I was asked several years ago if I would be willing to volunteer my services as a photographer to a charity golf tournament that a co-worker had helped to organize just outside of Houston, Texas. I had been an amateur photographer since high school and the event sounded like fun so I accepted his offer. It was Johnny Lee’s Second Annual Country Swinging Golf Classic for Project Joy and Hope. I photographed the celebrity players, the sponsors and volunteers and had a ball doing it and continued to volunteer annually at this event for several more years. The experience helped opened a door for me into the world of community service, volunteerism and those that give of themselves to their community I have since relocated thee times, and have been forced to be away from those I love for long periods. But I have never forgotten that first time I got ... Read Full Story >>

1752 Reads

If I Could Give Her Just A Part of Me...

The Internet connection at home was set-up for two months already. My family back home has a Web cam so I see them regularly, say twice a month, via the Web cam, but not my little sister. Whenever my mother, father, and little brother are on the chatroom, my little sister is busily doing something in her own room, or anywhere around the house. It's always been like that for the past two months. But yesterday, it was different. As I was chatting with mom, I saw my sister on the background. So I was surprised to see her there - sitting beside my mother, wearing her hair short! In fact, I was told by my older sister that little sister was the one who asked mom to cut her hair short. I was feeling so happy to see my little sister on the Web cam. I immediately captured that ... Read Full Story >>

1947 Reads

True Story of A Grateful Whale

If you read the front page story of the San Francisco Chronicle on Thursday, Dec 15, 2005, you would have read about a female humpback whale who had become entangled in a spider web of crab traps and lines. The fifty-foot whale was weighted down by hundreds of pounds of traps that caused her to struggle to stay afloat. She also had hundreds of yards of line rope wrapped around her her tail, her torso and a line tugging in her mouth. A fisherman spotted her just east of the Farallone Islands (outside the Golden Gate) and radioed an environmental group for help. Within a few hours, the rescue team arrived and determined that she was so bad off, the only way to save her was to dive in and untangle her - a very dangerous proposition. One slap of the tail could kill a rescuer. They worked for hours ... Read Full Story >>

14.9K Reads

Complaint-Free Zone

A couple of months ago I received an email about this church who was on a mission to provide people with a challenge to stop complaining.. They were making these purple bracelets that had stamped on them "Complaint Free"and sending them out to anyone who requested them.. The challenge was to see if you could go a whole month without complaining. What you were supposed to do was to wear the bracelets around your wrist and every time you find yourself complaining you would have to switch the bracelet to the opposite wrist. The idea behind was that if people were more conscious about how much they complained that eventually after switching the bracelet many times it would become a habit not to complain and therefore each person would be nicer to be around and we would all have a nicer village in which to live. In my work place there are approximately ... Read Full Story >>

3093 Reads

The Moments In Between

A grocery clerk made my day today.  When I was waiting in her line (which was taking a while) I dashed out of line several times to pick up some other items which occured to me while standing there. When she asked me whether I needed anything else, I chuckled and remarked that I had already run off to get things while waiting. She smiled and said it's nice to see people make use of their "waiting time" instead of fuming over why it's taking so long.  I agreed with her and went on my way. A little while later, I was waiting, this time at a red light en route to soccer practice.  While stopped there, I noticed the clouds billowing ahead in a beautiful blue sky and the small ripples across each of them, like lots of little marshmellows bobbing around.  It was so soothing to just stare up at the ... Read Full Story >>

1258 Reads

Helping Hands

We have many flash flood & thunderstorm warnings this time of year but most of us do not heed them -  unfortunately this warning was accurate!!! The sky suddenly darkened and then was streaked with lightening. It is the kind  of weather that you view in horror movies -- that kind that brightens the sky, crackles and the thunder in huge booms. ...normally I love these types of storms . The wind picked up, then the hail started and kept coming, blanketing the lawn in white-like snow...the rain in huge drops next, then torrents....it didn't relent.....half an hour later several inches had fallen with no slow down in sight. I was alone that night - with no phone, cable, Internet or power for awhile. Believe me, I was praying for quite a while. Finally almost an hour later, the rain became less fierce and the Tthunder & lightening stopped....sigh! At work the next day, I ... Read Full Story >>

1714 Reads

Be The Best You Can Be...

There is a beautiful story about a caterpillar that lived much of its life believing that it had come into being only to eat and sleep and do what the rest of the caterpillars did. However,it was unhappy. Somehow it sensed that its life had another dimension not yet experienced. One day, driven by a strange longing, it decided to become still and silent. It hung from the branch of a tree, weaving a cocoon around itself. Inside the cocoon, although constrained and uncomfortable, it waited, sensing and aware. Its patience bore fruit, for when the cocoon burst open, it was no longer the lowly worm that went in, but a beautiful, resplendent, winged butterfly which dazzled the sky. It soared and flew, no longer limited to its worm-like existence, but free and unbounded. The caterpillar had been transformed into a thing of air and lightness, magic and beauty. Once ... Read Full Story >>

1843 Reads

Thank You For All You Do For The World!

This note was left at my front door one late night. It read, " thank you for all you do for the world!" The kind hearted person also left a satchel full of money. I have no idea who left this and he or she did not leave a smile card. The money was a shock. However, the note said the most to me and I have a deep desire to do the most I can with the money that was left behind.

I have started by giving part of it to my friends homeland in the Philippines. If you just give $30 it sponsors one child to go to school for 1 year. I sent over enough for 7 students. I will be sending more. I also have passed out several $20 to the homeless in my area.

The ironic part of this story is each time I take money from this fund and give it away, more comes in from other people. It keeps going out but more comes in. I am committed to keeping the flow and spirit of the note continuing on.  The possibilities appear to be endless. With this in mind, I.....

"Thank all of you for all you do for the world.. It does not go unnoticed!"

2054 Reads
  • Posted by omtaratutare
  • Dec 31, 2007
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Running On Empty

The other night I almost ran my car out of petrol so I took the next exit off the highway to pull into the nearest petrol station.  I only had $20 cash on me.  As I pulled in, hadn't even turned the car off, there was a young man walking towards the car next to me.  He spoke with the driver of the car and the driver shook her head "No" and then he approached my car.  Usually I would be cautious and let my "He looks shady and possibly a con" opinions control my actions - but not tonight.  I put aside my opinions and listened to him openly.  It turns out that he was traveling to a funeral, another 100kms away, and needed some money for petrol. He was in a sort of a stunned silence, when I said, "Sure."  Then I added, "But there's one condition."   With a ... Read Full Story >>

4576 Reads

Native American Tale of Two Wolves

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between two "wolves" inside us all.

One is Evil.  It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other is Good.  It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility,  KINDNESS, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "THE ONE YOU FEED!"

 

4178 Reads

A Cookie In A Pocket!

After my son's soccer game, he ran over to me and said, "Mom, do you have a smile card?"  I said, "I think so." He is telling me to hurry up. We run to my purse and start digging through the million and one pockets and pouches. At last, I found one.

"What do you need it for?" I asked him.

He responds, "It is for Dad. I did not want my cookie and I know how he loves sugar. So, I quietly put it in his pocket while he was talking and now I want to add a smile card!"

His action and request melted my heart and filled me with joy.  Not to mention his Dad, who was brimming with joy as he bite into his warm chocolate chip cookie!

This will bring a whole new level of tagging to our household.  Secret Spy Operatives are now on the move!  Stay tuned for more. :)

4255 Reads

A Kind Festival

This poem I wrote describes my smile-card experience at the Annual Art&Wine Festival on Saturday September 8, 2007 in downtown Mountain View on Castro Street.

"A Kind Festival"

Walking along the streets of Castro,
A day of art and wine,
A time to smile with anonymous souls,
And browse at the paintings from Italy,
And try on flowery hair accessories,
And admire the photography from East Asia to Napa Valley,

While listening to an African American baby girl of two,
Belt out some soulful blues,
I heard the news of a Filipina woman,
Fighting for the tribal rights of California Indians,
And signed her political petition,

Then the musical notes of a guitarist arose,
And he received a series of dollars in his instrumental suitcase,
And while on my solitary stroll through this multicultural street,
I gave a dollar wrapped with a 1x2 inch smile,
With the hope that it just might add,
A little more than monetary value,
To this old man's day in the South Bay.

-mitu915

1792 Reads

Beautiful Pumpkin Colored Kitty

A small cat came to my door yeowling today. Now, I've seen it around usually chasing after my old 21 year old cats that really can't defend themselves. But this was different.

The cat was actually yeowling in the screen door, asking for something. I chased it away once, but it came back a few times. I looked at it and it seemed afraid but determined. I put out a can of food and backed away; this poor cat ate the entire thing afraid, but starving ... so I went and got my own cats dish, and put out what was left (almost another whole plate!) and the kitty ate that too!  I put water out, and each time I would go out, it would run, but come back to stare at me as it ate and drank.

I can't tell my husband -- he doesn't like cats, and we already have 2 of them!  Not to mention the 2 birds (my husband doesn't like them either :)), a turtle and a dog. So I am trying to save this little honey on the sly.

I think if I hear the Pumpkin Colored Kitty again this evening, I will bring out a box with a blanket in it for her (or him) ... but it warms me to know that it knew who and where to ask for help!

1765 Reads
  • Posted by plantermom
  • Dec 30, 2007
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Returning A Stolen Briefcase

About 3 months ago, my 20-year old son was riding home from town/grocery store, he found a briefcase in the bushes. Yes, he has very sharp eyes! He’s always looking for broken bike parts, because he fixes bikes and in our town bikes are vandalized daily. The briefcase had a wallet and lots of papers in it. Everything was in it, except cash. My son brought the briefcase home, and I spent about an hour on the phone until I located the owner of it. Yay! Persistence pays off! I’m met him at the train station this next day to give it to him. Here is the story he told me: “On March 29, 2007, he was riding the train home from his job in Osby. (he lives in Lund) He had his briefcase between his feet on the floor. He fell asleep around Hässleholm, but woke up about 15 minutes later as the train ... Read Full Story >>

2045 Reads