Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Early this morning, I got up to make a batch of Rice Krispie Treats for my neighbor across the hall. She barely greets me when we see each other, and her sweet little boy, who's now four, has picked up her hostile manner and will not talk to me, either.

Last Monday, she had called the firefighters when a pan I'd forgotten on the stove caused my flat to fog up while I was out taking a walk. When I came home, the street in front of our apartment house was blocked by a police car, a fire truck and an ambulance! The instant I saw them, I remembered the pan!

Luckily, nothing serious had happened, and all my neighbors agreed with the firefighter who said, "It could have happened to to anyone.“

When I thanked the neighbor who had called the firefighters - let's call her Ivy - and apologized for causing a commotion, she just asked if my cats were alright. When I said they were fine, she said, "Well, that's ok then," and turned into her flat.

I felt oddly safe, knowing that even though we don't get along, she 'd done the right thing and didn't blame me. Hence, the Rice Krispie Treats. 

Last Christmas, my neighbor inadvertently revealed that she was holding a grudge towards me because of an incident we'd had four years ago.  I had explicitly apologized and asked if there was anything I could do to improve our relationship. She would not accept my apology.  

It had taken me a lot of courage to apologize and ask that question instead of insisting that we both shared responsibility for what had happened. Her flat out refusal to make amends really shocked and saddened me. After that, I decided I'd just leave her be – a relationship takes two to work.

So, you see, I was really scared she was going to refuse my offer again, leaving me standing on her doorstep, facing the closed door and holding my plate of treats. I know some people have a hard time understanding how the possibility of rejection can make an adult so afraid, but that's just the way I felt.

Then, I reminded myself of how loving and good I had felt yesterday when I'd done some random acts of kindness (thanks to helpothers.org), after telling myself: Feel the fear, and do it anyway!

So I put the squares of Rice Krispie Treats on a beautiful plate, opened my apartment door - and there she was, standing in the hallway.

I smiled and said, "Hi," but when she saw me, she turned on her heels and went back inside, even though she seemed to have just stepped out.

I went after her, regardless, and quickly said, “I'm sorry, I've got something for you! I just wanted to tell you how grateful I am that you were paying attention on Monday.”

When she heard me speaking, she turned around.

As I held the plate towards her, explaining these were very sweet American treats (I live in Germany), and that she could just try and see whether she and her family would like them, her eyebrows winged up - and she took the plate. I was so happy and excited. We then talked a bit about how she'd become aware of the smoke in my flat, and parted ways.

Back in my place, I did a “happy dance”, because I had dared to be kind even though I hadn't been sure at all my kindness would be welcome. I do hope that our relationship will slowly get better, I know I was and still am biased towards her at times, but even if we don't make amends, I want to be able to be kind without depending on other people's behaviors and reactions.