Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Stone Soup for an Entire Village

Just a timeless classic told in my own words.  If you've heard it before or not, it's a gem for our times.  There was a weary traveler coming upon a poor village.  The people had seen him coming and hid all the food they had, knowing that the traveler would ask.  Sure enough, he approached asking for food and everyone said they don't have enough to share.  He then said he would make some stone soup if only he could borrow a large pot.  He would make enough for everyone to share.  This intrigued the villagers. They watched in wonder as he boiled the water then took three magic stones out of his bag.  As he started tasting the soup, he said "Mmmmm, this is good, but salt and pepper would make it better."  One woman got him the spices.  "Ah, yes," he said as he tasted again, "I've had stone soup with cabbage before ... Read Full Story >>

A Homeless Man's Gift

On New Year's eve my husband and I stopped in San Francisco for dinner on our way back from a retreat. While eating we felt that we should do something different this year. I took a $20 bill and asked the restaurant owner to give me $5 bills. After dinner, we headed out on the streets to find homeless people. The first guy we came across was sitting with a paper cup in his hand. We dropped in a $5 bill and moved on. Right across the street we saw another man sitting outside a a club with his guitar. We requested him to play some music for us and he obliged, after which we dropped a bill in his cup. Then my husband asked me if I would pose with the man for a picture. Initially, I hesitated although I thought that was a great idea. After some more ... Read Full Story >>

Driving Home our New Neighbors on a Cold Day

In the fall, a new family from Africa had moved to my area.  Their children go to school with mine and we have had the chance to get acquainted while waiting for the school bus.  Because they are originally from a much warmer climate, they are not accustomed to our cold weather -- even our mildly cold weather seems extreme to them!  They have no car and mostly get around by walking everywhere.  

One cold day, I noticed the family from a distance at a parent/teacher meeting being held at the school.  Before leaving, I made a point of walking to where the mother and her daughter were speaking with one of the teachers.  I felt ackward interrupting them, but I knew that they must have walked and wanted to offer to drive them home.  They gladly accepted! 

This wasn't any trouble for me because I was driving right by their place anyhow, but they were grateful and I felt better knowing that they wouldn't have to walk that distance in the cold.

A Turtle Who Taught Me Kindness

Life is good, really good. Sometimes I feel like the good karma train picked me up, and simply refuses to let me off. I have an amazing wife, a teenage son that makes me glow with pride, good health, a wonderful family and the best friends a guy could ask for. I have a lot to be grateful for. For many years now, “thank you” has become my meditation as I start each day. But the truth is, life was not always this good. It wasn’t all that long ago, when the resume’ of my life looked radically different. At one time, my life was filled with nearly everything people try to avoid. Experiencing everything from unhappy relationships to financial struggles, poor health, depression, and an endless stream of negative habits was a part of my daily life. It seemed that no matter how hard I tried, happiness was constantly ... Read Full Story >>

Spreading Joy in the Workplace

I send an email to all my co-workers every day titled, "A Story to Brighten Your Day."
Every morning, I choose one of the many stories I find on this web site and copy and paste it into an email. I then send the email to all my co-workers in the small company where I work. I always write a note, wishing every one a happy day, and ask them to let the story inspire them to do something kind for someone.
The first time I sent out the email, I was sure I'd be asked not to send anymore, thinking it might be a nuisance or distraction to some. But no! Everyone loved the story, and asked me to send another. So I did. To this day I've sent out over a hundred stories. And I never seem to have difficulty finding one that touches my heart. Thank you all for posting such wonderful stories about the recent acts of kindness you've either done, seen, or received. They inspire me to do more. And my co-workers say thank you as well.

Waking Up To Flowers by My Side

After a long day at a convention in San Francisco, I arrived in the hotel lobby too late to meet my party for dinner. I sat down on a very comfortable couch feeling a bit sorry for myself, and somehow I dozed off with my head on the arm of the sofa. I awoke some time later feeling groggy and disoriented, and a little embarrassed at having fallen asleep in public. As I looked around me, rubbing my eyes, wondering whether anyone had noticed, I saw that someone had left a bouquet of flowers on the arm of the sofa, right next to where I'd fallen asleep. I looked around again, but no one in the busy hotel lobby paid me any mind. It felt surreal, like a dream, and I tried to imagine who might have done such a thing, what led them to it, what thoughts surrounded the act. I still ... Read Full Story >>

Paying Forward a Pre-Paid Parking Space

A few days ago, I pulled into a pay-by-hour parking lot to run a few errands. I stood in line to pay for my parking space and was intercepted by a woman returning from her errands. "Excuse me," she said, "but if you would like to use my spot, I am leaving now." At first, I hesitated. I knew that I only needed the spot for 20 minutes, and she had paid for 2 hours. Finally, I accepted her offer to use the remaining time on her space.

My errand took a while longer than planned, so I ended up being grateful that I had some extra time on my parking space. However, I still had an hour left on the parking time. So, I waited in the garage for the next patron to enter. I drove up to the woman and offered her the remaining time on the ticket.  It felt good to pass the kindness along.

I'll Give Him My Teddy Bear

Nearly thirty years ago I was a trainee engineer based in Liverpool. I was hundreds of miles from home, but I had a nice place to live, wasn't overworked, had a good bunch of friends and plenty of money in my pocket. One Saturday morning I decided to walk into Liverpool city centre and buy myself something. I didn't need anything, I was just going to spend some money!  The walk was about four miles and took me through Toxteth, an area which two years later would erupt into rioting, largely because of the poverty of the place. I stopped into a newsagents/general store to buy myself some sweets for the walk. While I was making up my mind the door opened and in walked this "ragamuffin". She looked like she might have been four years old (at the most), was wearing a summer dress and sandals even though it was a bitterly cold day, ... Read Full Story >>

Turning a Security Guard's Frown Into a Smile

I am new to helpothers.org and have been reading the stories on this site for the past week only.   They have inspired me to get over my hesitations and have transformed me into a lively and compassionate human being.  I find myself helping people in small ways which I had never thought of before. I live in an apartment and since I work night shifts, I usually come home late everyday around 3 o'clock in the morning. The security person typically opens the door in a gruff manner -- in fact, I had never seen him smile either to me or anyone else.  I said thank you everyday when he opened the door and he would just nod his head. Then one day, when I finished work, I felt hungry and decided to get some biscuits and hot puffs (I'm used to eating at unusual timings because of my work timings).  When I reached the apartment, he opened the gate as ... Read Full Story >>

The True Nature of a Heart

John Blanchard stood up from the bench, straightened his Army uniform, and studied the crowd of people making their way through Grand Central Station. He looked for the girl whose heart he knew, but whose face he didn't, the girl with the rose. His interest in her had begun thirteen months before in a Florida library. Taking a book off the shelf he found himself intrigued, not with the words of the book, but with the notes penciled in the margin. The soft handwriting reflected a thoughtful soul and insightful mind. In the front of the book, he discovered the previous owner's name, Miss Hollis Maynell. With time and effort he located her address. She lived in New York City. He wrote her a letter introducing himself and inviting her to correspond. The next day he was shipped overseas for service in World War II. During the next year and one month ... Read Full Story >>

In Memory of My Brother Christopher

I lost my brother last April. For a few months, I felt that maybe life was not worth living anymore. But then a voice inside of me spoke up.

An idea came to me. My brother was such a giving and loving soul. In honor of his memory I decided each day to do a random act of kindness. Whether it was just a small note to a friend or a smile to a stranger. I know he is lookiing down with an approving smile. This site is so wonderful and creative. It gives and asks nothing in return.

My 96-year-old Neighbor's Cookies

This afternoon my son was out playing with friends down the street and I had a bit of free time so I decided to pay a visit to our 96-year old neighbor.  I took her some slices of cake that I had baked and dropped in for a chat.  Well, guess what-- when I went over there I found her baking oatmeal-raisin cookies!  My neighbor is an amazing woman.  She grew up on a ranch in Montana, raised 4 kids, was a practicing nurse until 5 years ago, and gets around her house with just the help of a sitting walker because her knees aren't so good anymore. She is always positive, tells me that she "loves everyone and prays for everyone every day" because that's how she was raised. I just love her!  I love visiting her and giving her hugs---her positive spirit just radiates from her.  She insisted on ... Read Full Story >>

Don't Just Hear. Listen.

Lately I've been trying to listen more. What does this mean? Well, instead of just hearing the conversation I actually take in every word of it no matter if the subject is interesting to me or not.

I had a conversation with my uncle, who is a bit eccentric and has "different" views on things. But i heard every word he said. Through our conversation I learned that calculators weren't being used in post secondary school in the 70's. He also said he wishes people wouldn't throw out items in good condition. He picks them up and gives them to those in need. I wouldn't have thought this would be something he did.

So the next time you have a conversation about something your not interested in, just listen harder. Maybe you are just not hearing what is being said.

Remembering the Feeling of Being Lost as a Kid

I was in Macys a few days ago with my mom, aunt, and my sister. Usually, I am one of those people who does not like to go shopping with my family.  I get all grumpy and get in a bad mood. However, I decided this time to suck it up and join them. My aunt and I were looking for some things to buy for our family when I noticed two chairs on the side.  One of them had a little girl sitting on it with her family nearby and the other one was empty.  So, I decided to sit down.  While I was doing my own thing, I noticed that the family was not in front of the girl anymore. I saw the girl get up and look around for her family. She came back and I saw her in tears, crying. I knew that she lost her family and ... Read Full Story >>

Angel Cards For My Sister

It was recently my sister's birthday and I wanted to make her a pack of homemade "Angel Cards". I painted a picture on one side of some small blank business cards. On the other side I wrote words of encouragement. I made her a pack of 29 cards, as it was her 29th birthday.

She lives far away from me and as I was about to post them, I got an idea. I decided that each day, I would post one of the cards to her. That way, she would receive one Angel card each day.

So far I have sent 15 of the 29 cards. At first she thought I had just sent her one card, because I didn't tell her what I was doing. Then she started getting more and more cards - one each day. She does not know how many are coming. But when I send the last one, I will let her know what has happened.

Just wanted to share. People love getting mail. This way she is getting an extended birthday gift, lasting for 29 days after her 29th birthday!

Smiling With the Eyes

I thought coming up with acts of kindness would be easy but sometimes I don't have the opportunities simply because I am busy. But now I look at going out to lunch during work as an opportunity to do something kind for someone else. And it's exciting!

I stay especially busy because I have a parent living with my husband and I and she has Alzheimers. I have a closer view now of how some older people must feel. Every time I see an older person I smile at them, not with just my mouth, but with my eyes. Its not fun getting old. My mother-in-law and I used to go shopping and out to eat together. Now it's a long process to go anywhere.

We went out one night recently and ordered a dessert to share. I was loving our apple-pecan dessert! She couldn't get any on her spoon and so I quietly got up from my side of the table and went over to her side and I helped her eat. Everyone on this website is right. It's the simple things that matter.

Life's Little Treasures

About a week ago, we were having record high temperatures (almost 80 degrees!!!) so I thought it would be nice to take my 6 year old son to the park to play since it would be a while before he'd be able to play outside again. The playground is covered in little pebbles surrounded by a chain link fence and they had just re-spraypainted the fence silver a few days earlier. At the bottom of the fence, all the pebbles had gotten spraypainted silver also and when my son saw the silver pebbles, he instantly called them "treasures" and started scooping them up into his pockets. I told him that they were pretty and then forgot all about it. On the way home, we stopped by a gas station so that I could get myself some coffee and get some juice for my son.  As we were walking away from ... Read Full Story >>

"My main focus was helping ..."

My husband and I were on our way home from Christmas with my family when I noticed a lady, probably in her early 40's, standing in a church lawn near the highway holding a sign that read, "will work for food." When I see these type of things, my heart breaks. Living in a small town, seeing these types of things is rare, despite the terrible economy and unemployment rate. It was Christmas and all I could think about was how this lady should be at home with her family, enjoying the season, but instead, she was begging for work, just to be fed. I know there are people out there who do those type of things for free money or free food, but I didn't care. My main focus was helping this lady however I could. My husband drove us to ... Read Full Story >>

A Homeless Man's Honesty Changed My Friend

Carlton is a middle aged black homeless man with schizophrenia, who lives in our beautiful, suburban community.  Many of my friends and I have known him for over 20 years.  He refuses medication and will not live with his family, so he sleeps in the woods and  is fed by the local community and business people.  We bring him food and try to help him anyway that we can.  He rides his bike throughout our little town and is able to survive in a way that I don't think I would be able to. 

One day a friend of mine was on his way to the bank.  He stopped at the Quick Check to purchase coffee and accidentaly dropped three hundred dollars on the ground.  As he approached his car, Carlton said, "Excuse me, you dropped this," and handed him the three hundred dollars.  My friend was overwhelmed by his honesty .  He wasn't sure he would have done the same thing if he was in Carlton's position.  Carlton changed my friend. 

One Small Treat For Three of Us

I've seen a rich man beg I've seen a good man sin I've seen a tough man cry I've seen a loser win And a sad man grin I heard an honest man lie I've seen the good side of bad And the down side of up And everything between I licked the silver spoon Drank from the golden cup... -Everlast -What its like - Being in a developing country, I take care to make sure I don't lose my compassion with those around me, but I also understand the frustration of other foreigners, as people of the land ask for their change. Today, as I finished a delightful meal with a friend, we wandered into a busy square full of locals. My friend suggested that I try a local dessert from the street. I had my fill from dinner but never pass a chance to try something, especially when someone suggests it!  It was the most delightful thing I've tasted!   As we continued walking along, a ... Read Full Story >>