Stories of Kindness from Around the World

The Man I Will Never Forget


--by hasifa, posted Jul 17, 2011

This morning, I remembered a childhood memory.  It made realize that some of the acts of kindness that we might do spontaneously might never be forgotten by the recipients. 

I was six years old and in foster care. My foster mother was not the kind of person I would have chosen to stay with. One morning she sent me to the store for a sack of flour. On the walk back home I was doing what any six year old would have been doing -- playing. Because of that I dropped the sack of flour and it burst open spilling the flour all over the ground. I knew that this meant I would be in big trouble when I got home.

So I ran back to the store and asked the clerk if I could have an empty bag and a scoop so I can gather up as much of the flour as possible. There was no way I was going home empty handed.

Returning to the scene of the accident, to my horror, I saw a car drive right on top of the flour! There was no chance of salvaging it now!

The driver saw the distress on my face and pulled over. He came over to me and asked what was wrong. I told him that I would probably get the beating of my life if I went back without the flour I had been sent for. 

He took me by the hand and led me back to the store where he bought me a new sack of flour - and some candy! Then he wiped my tears and sent me on my way home. 

I never told my foster mother about the kind gentleman but I’m twenty-three years old now and I still remember him and his kindness.

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Readers Comments

Tropic wrote: What a beautiful soul that man has.
Lokesh wrote: The life on earth is still existing because only of the good people. The pleasure in helping someone in need cannot be measured.
flowerpower wrote: To keep it going, the spirit of gratitude, you can help another child who looks like they can use a hand, like a pay it foward to the kind gebtlemen who helped you at that age. Bright blessings :)
Namaste wrote: Wow! What a wonderful story (and experience). Thanks so much for sharing!
erinvictoria wrote: That brought tears to my eyes. I'm so glad he helped you, and i'm sorry that you grew up feeling afraid. I hope you are secure now, and no longer afraid. I know that you are the kind of person that would do the same thing if you saw a child in need. That's the bright side!
Alia wrote: Aw, wat a kind gentleman! :) may god bless him!
RMB333 wrote: It was just wonderful to read your story thank you for sharing. Kindness sticks in our minds as longs as we want them to! It proves that you are a very grateful person. To remember the gentleman's kind act! Thank you for sharing. With blessings!
annjav wrote: Bless that man for taking the time to make things right for you. You have learned a lot about kindness to others from your life so far. Thanks for sharing.
Joy wrote: Yes,it shows how acts of kindness really do have a lasting impact. Many blessings to you and the kind man.
Sajha wrote: What a challenging life, what a wonderful person you are, what a wonderful man and wonderful story! It makes me so happy to read it!
I'm so sorry you had such a stark sterile and even cruel childhood. Bless your heart. You're a little younger than my older daughter, and my heart hurt for you. I grew up with abuse and neglect too. I hope you are now surrounded with a vast and loving spiritual family. That has changed my life. Blessings, Love and Light. Sajha

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