Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Just recently I had been wondering if there was much point in doing little acts of kindness. So often they get ignored, and occasionally they come back to bite you!

Then, just last week, after a long day of travelling, dragging suitcases behind me, I found myself delayed at a bus station. The bus was running four hours late! So, I guess I wasn’t in the best of moods.

That’s when a woman asked me if I had any spare change to help her get a bus ticket.

“Oh, sure,” I said, more than a little sarcastically. “How much would you like?”

As I spoke I mentally kicked myself for my attitude and reached into my bag for some money. As I handed her five dollars I heard her stomach rumble. This was no gentle, ladylike murmer. This had the growl of real hunger!

I reached back into my bag and brought out a Danish pastry I had bought earlier. I handed it to her with a smile I hoped would make up for my earlier tone of voice. Getting a good look at her now, I realised she was exhausted, like she had had several months of hard days!

As she took the Danish a look of relief washed over her and I thought she was going to cry. In her appreciation she tried to give me all she had to spare – a Milwaukee bus ticket! I don’t live in Milwaukee and the ticket will probably never be used, but I took it in the spirit it was given.

She went to get her ticket and I went back to my book.

A few minutes later she came back over, apologised, and told me she was still five dollars short. I grabbed some singles from my bag – and slipped a twenty in there as well. Of course, the voice in my head told me I was being a fool.

She thanked me and went back to the counter. Again I went back to my book.

Five minutes later she came back again and tried to return my twenty. When I said it was for her so she could get something else to eat besides the Danish, that I was completely serious and I wasn't taking it back, she started crying and hugged me.

From now on, when I wonder if it is worth trying to help someone I will remember that woman. Maybe I really am making a difference for someone.

So, sure, sometimes my efforts might not be noticed, and sometimes they might still come back to bite me, but it’s worth all of that for the times we actually do help another human being!