Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Remembering Why It's Worth Helping


--by Kalooeh, posted Apr 19, 2011

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!

 

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Readers Comments

AURELIA wrote: You are an Earth Angel. Your story has warmed my heart. Please continue to do good, sometimes people are harded by their situation and it takes more than 1 act for them to start to smile again. You just may be the first act of kindness they've seen in a very long time. ... get it started for them...keep being YOU...one who is making a difference, a little at a time :O)
Smiles are Contagious :0) ~Aurelia
sethi wrote: Hi that's great . Keep it taking it forward . It makes you strong & courageous with lots of love for all beings. Smiles.
FairyBubbles wrote: That is a wonderful story, you are wonderful! Big hug. Big smile. Loads of love.
bluebell wrote: I guess we have been so much conditioned to let our ego talk, to fear "strangers" that we still think with the head rather then with the heart. The good news is that the Heart is talking louder, and one day only the Heart will be heard. I am very happy that you were given a test from life and that you passed with top score. Well done. Loads of Love, Bluebell
JuneBug wrote: What a great post !!!You did well !! :)
Tigerlily wrote: Oh wow. How completely lovely. What I love about beautiful people is how they listen to their beautiful hearts instead of their sensible minds. You are ... a beautiful person. Keep listening to your heart and tell your head to watch and learn. :)
Krish19 wrote: Godbless. :)
Ollie wrote: Kudos to you , you might have entertained an angel.
Tina wrote: Never doubt or under estimate even the smallest act of kindness. We never know what's going on in peoples lives or hearts and even an act of kindness we might view as "small" can impact a person in a profound and large way and have the potential to be life altering for someone. That "extra" 20 you gave this woman meant the difference between her being hungry or not. Something many of us take for granted because we're not going hungry and have more than enough food to sustain us. This poor soul will never forget what you did for her. I hope no matter what you're circumstances are, you will always be in a position to do like you did. You've inspired me to always have some extra $$ tucked away in my purse and not get rid of the extra change no matter how much it weighs my bag down. Carry on angel.
withany wrote: Congrats on overcoming the evil influences of this world that try to make us feel like it is not worth it to try and help a fellow human being. You are awesome!

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