Stories of Kindness from Around the World

The True 7 Wonders Of The World

Junior high school students in Chicago were studying the Seven Wonders of the World. At the end of the lesson, the students were asked to list what they considered to be the Seven Wonders of the World. Though there was some disagreement, the following received the most votes: 1. Egypt's Great Pyramids 2. The Taj Mahal in India 3. The Grand Canyon in Arizona 4. The Panama Canal 5. The Empire State Building 6. St. Peter's Basilica 7. China's Great Wall While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student, a quiet girl, hadn't turned in her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The quiet girl replied, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mind because there were so many." The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help." The girl hesitated, then read, "I think the Seven Wonders of the World ... Read Full Story >>

Offering a Steady Hand

Recently our family went to an all-you- can-eat  buffet. It makes for a carefree dinner. Everyone eats what they like and we all are relaxed and enjoy our food.

As we sat at our table chatting and getting excited over our choices, my husband noticed this man at the chocolate milk dispenser. He was trying very hard to get two glasses filled and his hands were shaking apparently because he was elderly.  My husband said, "Now, how on earth is he going to carry that milk back to his table?" I just looked at my husband and raised my eyebrows with a smile on my face.  He knew what to do. The next thing I knew, he went up to the gentlemen and asked if he could help him and then carried the drinks to his table for him.

Take time to notice and don't be afraid to lend a helping hand or two, like Jim did.

Serving Up Smiles at Baskin Robbins

I'm just a senior in high school who works for minimum wage at a local Baskin Robbins. In and outside of work, I always wear a smile and try to influence my amiable attitude towards others. But lately, I've been inspired by the stories here to reach out in kindness in other ways beyond just acting friendly.  So, today, when I went to work, I decided I would take my first big step and truly help a complete stranger. Two young girls came into the store and looked around. I offered them my usual "Welcome to Baskin Robbins!" greeting.  It was a couple of minutes later when one of them finally decided upon a flavor, chocolate chip. So then, I made a big scoop and put it upon a cone and handed it to her. Interestingly, though, the other girl didn't get anything even though I could tell she was eyeballing the variety of creams.  So, I ... Read Full Story >>

Taking a Chance on My Friends

In December, just before Christmas, my daughter and her husband lost a very dear friend to brain cancer.  He was married with a 13 year-old son.  A few weeks later, my daughter called to tell me that her friend's wife was really struggling financially.  She had lost her job when her company closed suddenly a few weeks before her husband died.  The life insurance policy she thought was in place was not and she was frightened.  She was a young woman in a happy marriage one day and left with no husband, no job and no money the next.   My daughter asked, "Mom, can you think of anything to do to help?"  I told her to let me think about it for a while. My thinking time was short.  I had my address book on the table beside me and the Christmas cards I'd received in a box next to it.  I decided on ... Read Full Story >>

Wondering: "Why am I Kept Alive?"

    On Saturday evening we had some new friends over at our house. One of the guests was a frail 91- year- old lady, the mother of one of our friends. At some stage in the evening the two of us were alone at the table where we were sitting outside in the beautiful evening.     Margaret, the elderly woman,  started talking. She is very quiet and mostly listens to conversations. Being very weak, she cannot walk on her own any longer, and weighs probably something in the neighborhood of 40 kilograms.      “I don’t know why am still kept alive,” she said. “I struggle physically, don’t sleep well, and feel like a burden to my son.” (She lives with her son).      We talked about possible reasons why she would still be around. “You bring out the gentleness and kindness in people, simply by virtue of who you are, “ I said. ... Read Full Story >>

Coffees and Cakes on a Country Road

The exhaust of my car recently fell off on a country road, when I was driving along with two of my friends with me.  A man stopped to offer his help, showing us ID so we knew who he was.  At the time, we were waiting for the breakdown truck to arrive.  He offered to take us somewhere safe, but we said we weren't in a hurry, as were were only on our way to have coffee and cake at a local garden centre.  So, he wished us well and left.

Ten minutes later he turned up with coffee and cakes for the three of us!  It certainly put a smile on our faces and he didn't want payment.  He said he hoped someone would do the same for his wife if she had broken down somewhere!  His kind gesture certainly cheered up three women!

A Table for Three

My fiancee and I decided today was the day to finally treat ourselves to a nice dinner. It started off as 'our' day' but little did we know that it would turn into much more. I didn't want the whole day to be about yearning to leave the office for the upcoming dinner and I didn't want the dinner to be just another romantic night for two... So, I felt compelled to turn up the notch of giving that day and see what that could do.  During the work day,  I began in small ways. I inserted a few more quarters, dimes, and nickels, into the vending machines at work for the staff, so that something extra jingled inside for the next hungry worker. I posted smile signs in the lobby which gave clear instructions on how to smile as employees entered the office, either before their morning cup of coffee or right before a meeting with their boss. I drafted some powerful words of inspiration on colorful strips of paper and decorated my cube, so that any colleagues who came by, might just stop for ... Read Full Story >>

Cleaning Windows In The Rain

I was in a seaside town a few weeks ago and winter was blasting it with a vengeance! The wind was one you really had to battle against and salty rain was blowing near horizontally in from the sea. Whatever litter there was around was dancing up and down the street.  Soaking people hurried for shelter.

Then I saw the window cleaner.

He soaped up the window on the outside of the bank building then squeegeed it off.  Bracing himself against the wind, he leaned back to inspect his work.  Finding a spot he was disatisfied with, he rubbed at it with his cloth until it was right.

Moments after he left that window would be smeared by the rain and the wind.  He probably knew that.  No one inside the bank would be able to tell what kind of job he did that day and none of the passers by cared.  But still, he took the time to do it right.

Because he would know.

All Bundled Up in a Wheelchair

Yesterday I went to the card shop with my friend.  She went about her shopping and I did mine. We met at the register and paid.  Walking  together we approached the exit door.  There was a little old soul in a wheelchair, just inside the doorway of the store.  She was wrapped up with a blanket, hat  and scraf, which was around her face.  All we could see were her eyes peeking out.  I couldn't help but wave to her as we approached the exit door.  I smiled really big and said, "Enjoy your day!"  I could not see her mouth for her smile because of the scarf, but her eyes were dancing! My friend said, "Who was that?"  I replied, "I don't know."  She said she thought I knew the lady because I was waving as we approached her and I spoke to her.  I said, "No, I don't know her, but I'm sure she ... Read Full Story >>

Being a Big Sis for My Little Friend

I want to tell you all about Clare.  I refer to her as Little Clare because I know so many Clares.  I have a feeling no matter how old she gets, she'll always be Little Clare to me. My school goes all the way from classes for five year olds to classes for 18 year olds, with a seperate area for the junior and senior school.  Last year, I bumped into my old year 5 teacher in the library.  My teacher called me over and asked how I was going. Then she told me about Clare. "I have a girl in my year 3 class. Her name's Clare and she reminds me so much of you, Cassie. She seems a little bit lost in class.  Do you think you could come down one lunch time and maybe have a chat to her?" Of course I was very keen to do this and to meet Clare in order to find ... Read Full Story >>

The Original Warm Fuzzy Tale

Once upon a time, a long time ago there lived two very happy people called Tim and Maggi with their two children, John and Lucy. To understand how happy they were you have to understand how things were in those days. You see, in those happy days everyone was given, at birth, a small soft Fuzzy Bag. Anytime a person reached into this bag he was able to pull out a Warm Fuzzy. Warm Fuzzies were very much in demand because whenever somebody was given a Warm Fuzzy it made him feel warm and fuzzy all over. People who didn't get Warm Fuzzies regularly were in danger of developing a sickness in their backs which caused them to shrivel up and die. In those days it was very easy to get Warm Fuzzies. Anytime that somebody felt like it, he might walk up ... Read Full Story >>

Small Acts Of Kindness Add Up

I always think I need to write about some grandiose act of kindness I performed each week, but I realized that there are lots of little acts that I'm just starting to notice.

Like one day it was a chilly 10 degrees outside and I was in the ATM (heated) cubicle. There were 2 people outside patiently waiting and I let them in so they could be warm.

Then there was the delivery man who was coming towards the door with way too many packages to carry let alone open the door.  So, I held the door open for him and it was amazing to see the big smile that resulted in that small act, from both of us.

Often times I let someone go ahead of me in line (or in traffic) because they are in a bigger hurry. Sure beats road rage :-)

I smile at people on my walk to the train station. It's amazing how many people smile back. I think it brightens both our days.

I'm noticing these small acts more and more as I read and contribute to this site. It's amazing, but it really does improve my outlook on a daily basis.

An Act of Kindness in 1988

ÅSGÅRDSTRAND (VG): Mary was a newlywed and ready to move to Norway, but was stopped at the airport because she didn’t have enough money for the trip. Then a stranger turned up and paid for her. Mary Menth Andersen was 31 years old at the time and had just married Norwegian Dag Andersen. She was looking forward to starting a new life in Åsgårdstrand in Vestfold with him. But first she had to get all of her belongings across to Norway. The date was November 2nd, 1988. At the airport in Miami things were hectic as usual, with long lines at the check-in counters. When it was finally Mary’s turn and she had placed her luggage on the baggage line, she got the message that would crush her bubbling feeling of happiness: "You’ll have to pay a 103 dollar surcharge if you want to bring both those suitcases to Norway, the man ... Read Full Story >>

Star Wars Valentine

I work in a school and see happy little faces each day. (Kids from age 3-14).  On Valentine's Day last year, Valentine cards and candies were being passed out left and right. I  smiled and said "thank you" to the kids and I gave a Candy Kiss to them.  Later in the day, this new face came to my door.  He was a bigger kid, probably about 10 or 11. He was shy as he walked up to me and handed me a "star wars valentine". He stood there, waiting for me to open the card and of course I did open it to find out his wishes and name. I smiled and said "Thank You Zack". Something told me that I should hang this Valentine on my office door along with my other festive decorations.  Later when classes were dismissed, I got a visit from Zack's Aunt. She said that I really touched Zack ... Read Full Story >>

Kneeling With a Bouquet of Flowers

My cousin Heidi was stricken around age 16 with a debilitating disease, which took her life about 20 years later. As the disease progressed, she became wheelchair bound and unable to easily communicate (I'm not sure of the disease -- it may have been a combination, including Parkinson's). When she was in her late 20's, she would often have her mother take her out into the front yard when the weather was nice so that she could sit in her wheelchair and watch the cars pass by. One day, my aunt was doing dishes and looked out the window to see a car pulled to the side of the road and a man approaching Heidi. In a panic, she ran outside, wondering who this person was that was approaching her daughter. When she arrived where my cousin was sitting, the man was kneeling before her placing a bouquet of flowers in her lap ... Read Full Story >>

Growing Seeds in Silence

Sometimes you read a story that just takes root in your heart. Many stories on the helpothers.org website have been like that for me: "I Wish You Enough" by BrightEyes and "An Unforgettable Fishing Experience" by Mike Delyria to name just two. Well this story I'm about to share with you has been growing in the heart of many people on Cape Ann, where I live. It is the story of Jude, a young deaf man with green thumbs and a big heart who recently opened a plant store in our community called The Silent Seed. I first heard about him from my friend Nana who had noticed the new store during one of her walks and was so inspired by the owner that she felt called to draw the whole neighborhood's attention to his work. A few days later, my friend Loretta who lives in a totally different part of ... Read Full Story >>

Remembering a Name Makes All the Difference

Today, I needed to ring the helpline of my internet provider -once again!  I have had problems with disconnecting and called the line to ask them to reset my connection.  I was put through to a young man, who gave his name and asked what the trouble was. He tried his best to help, but it took a long while and I was on the phone for quite some time.  He apologised to me several times for keeping me waiting.  It was as frustrating for him as it was for me I am sure. 

Finally - to his relief - I was reconnected.  I thanked him for his help, using the name he had given to me at the beginning of the call.  He was very surprised and I could hear the smile in his voice as he said, "Thank you for remembering my name - we are not often thought of as people, just technical assistance - you have made my day!"

Small acts - big differences.

Doggie Day Care

One of my pleasures has always been to make friends out of people I encounter on a regular basis.  This has sometimes led to wonderful unexpected gifts beyond the obvious happiness of setting up outposts of friends.  10 years ago, I was a "career professional" working as a programmer in a bank.  Like many people, I was unhappy in my job, feeling completely unfulfilled, and occasionally having anxiety attacks about my life passing by without meaning. Banks have a strange corporate structure, doling out the title of "Vice President" rather liberally to miscellaneous positions of middling authority.  My job had been bestowed with this aggrandizement.  It not only seemed ridiculous to me, but became a source of irritation when I'd watch someone greet me respectfully, then turn around and respond dismissively to a fellow employee.  In reaction to this obvious inequity, I made it a point to be even more respectful towards ... Read Full Story >>

The Gift of a Hot Coffee

I work in a place were small random acts of kindness seem to be easily found, if one is looking.  In a place where "regulars" are the norm, a new face came in. He fixed himself a coffee and picked up a few small grocery items.  When he came to checkout, he handed me a food stamp card.  I don't understand the logic behind it, but hot foods can't go on the card.   I lowered my voice as I told him the coffee couldn't be paid for with his card, hoping he would have a small amount of cash to cover the coffee.   But he responded, "I didn't know.  I don't have any money and I've already made the coffee, so would you throw it away for me?"   I pulled a dollar out of my pocket discreetly and told him I had it covered.  The only person that overheard us was the next person in line, who seemed strangely put off and said in a loud voice "you can't be from around here." 

 I found it sad that being kind, can sometimes set one apart.

All I Did Was Smile

One day I was going home and jumped on the LRT (train). There was one seat compartment that was empty except for a 'dirty' run down looking man obviously coming down off of something. Although there were two empty seats across from him, and one beside him, and the train was jam packed, no one would sit there. Me, being me, waltzed into the train car, sat directly across from him, looked him in the eye and smiled. The look of shock, shame and amazment on his face is a look I will never forget. He was obviously shocked that someone would sit across from him when a train full of people had done their best to avoid him so far. After he got over the shock, you could see the shame on his face, and you knew it was because of his appearance and how his problems, addictions, whatever they ... Read Full Story >>