Stories of Kindness from Around the World

A First Class Delivery of Generosity


--by dreamin2being, posted Jan 29, 2009

I was recently at the Post Office. I walked in and saw the line, it was all the way to the door. Normally, I would have come back later but a voice in my head told me to just be patient and it would go quickly. I got in line and was immediately drawn to a conversation at a side counter between a Japanese woman and a postal worker. There was frustration in the clerk's voice as he said, "You'll either need to come up with the cash or find a card that works." She was trying to use the same card several times and was obviously distraught. I wondered how much cash she needed and then  heard the man say, " Look, you need $16.34 in cash or a debit card that works."

I couldn't resist and pulled $17 from my wallet and placed it in front of the woman and quickly took my place in line. She handed it to the postal worker, completed the transaction, and started crying. She came over to me and said she'd never experienced such kindness.  She said, "In Japan, people do these things for each other. I have been living here for 5 years and have never seen anyone do this. Thank you." I told her to pay-it-forward. A woman behind me said, "You must be very special, that just touched me. Thank you." I told her that people that witness acts of kindness have their endorphin levels raised just as much as the givers and the recipients. It's a precious thing to be able to contribute to another.

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Readers Comments

hotcocoa wrote: Thanks for sharing it.

I think every culture should have that giving action as a custom :)
JeanneHo wrote: I think i'll remember to carry a little extra cash around to be available for someone who needs it in a pinch. Thanks for giving me an idea to pass on.
Alicia wrote: Thank you for doing that,wish there are a lot of people like you. Thank you again.
Dyllan wrote: Dont worry about a thing because every little thing is gonna be alright!
LOAS wrote: Thank you for that act of kindness (and for sharing it with us here). You made the world a little better. :)


Loas
pacots wrote: That was a wonderful good deed you did made her suprised & made you also feel good
CoffeeKitten wrote: I am sure the man behind the counter had never witnessed kindness like that either. All the people in the post office and the woman will remember your wonderful deed:)
sathsath wrote: Good show of a willing presence of mind,and still u have named DREAM....for u,Hey,that was very inspiring act of a gentle helping hand
JuneBug wrote: I loved your story! What a kind heart you have! I am sure EVERYBODY in that post office appreciated what you did! God bless you! :]
makesomeonesmile wrote: That is great. Small kind acts like that can change the world. Lead by example! Thanks for sharing!

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