Stories of Kindness from Around the World

A Shoe Seller Walks in the Shoes of Kindness


--by febrihana, posted Nov 13, 2010

Today, I felt terrible. My head was full of problems and confusion.  I decided to take a walk even though I didn't know where I would go. The most extraordinary thing happened when I was out on this walk.

I saw an old man sitting on a chair. He was a seller of second-hand shoes. I thought he looked at least 70 years old. He seemed so tired and nobody was buying his shoes. I wanted to give him something but I had not brought anything with me.

Then, a little girl came toward him. I heard the child say, "Grandfather, may I polish your shoes?" That old man took pity on her, smiled and he gave her a  shoe to polish.

The girl said, "I polish the shoe because I need money to buy my brother a new school uniform." 

I heard this and tears came to my eyes. The old man answered, "Oh, little girl. Just stop doing this. Come with me and I will buy you a uniform." Then they walked to a market (I followed behind) and he bought her a uniform.

The girl was so happy.  She said, "Thank you so much for doing this. May God bless you." Then she left, leaving the old man smiling.

He walked away from the market, but I stopped him. I whispered in his ear, "You are a hero! Thank you for your kindness!"  As I walked away, I glanced back and I could see him still smiling.

I was blown away by the kindness I had just seen.  Someone who had so little themselves, was able to show such incredible generosity! Amazing! My own sadness had completely disappeared, chased way by the light of this kind act.

I began realizing that I have a lot to be thankful for. I hope, some day, I can show my appreciation of what I have by following the example of the old man who only had a little, but shared it so beautifully with someone who had nothing.

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Readers Comments

Dikshita wrote: Wow! It was such a heart touching story.
Please keep making stories like this
Rohit wrote: Good
Good
Good
Rohit wrote: Good
Good
Good
Jelly wrote: Wonderfull i am from india so kind and generous superb from chennai
Jelly wrote: Wonderful
Japneet Kaur wrote: I am such inspired by the story. Good
Japneet Kaur wrote: Inspirational story
Japneet kaur wrote: Beautiful and inspiring story
Jyoti Joshi wrote: Kindliness means godliness. We have this attribute because we are part snd parcel of god, the most kind amongst all.
smart wrote: Small but mighty, do good to others surely good will come back to you

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