Stories of Kindness from Around the World

I have two friends who were financially strapped and needed my help on two occasions.

The first guy, was in his final year in University while I was in my third year. He needed some money for school fees and other academic purposes, and he came to me. Being a student and I didn't have much, but I gave him what he needed on the agreement that he would pay back. I didn't bother him after that. I never asked when he'd pay back.

Later on, after he finished  school, he got into another period of deep financial stress and called me on the phone. He asked to borrow some more money, pleading that he'd pay all of it back once he lands a job. Out of kindness, I still gave him the exact amount he needed, which was twice the amount I had given him initially. He was so grateful. Its so hard to find someone willing to lend you that amount of money, even with interest.

I never bothered him after that.

Fast forward a few months later. One evening, I was feeling happy and love permeated my heart. I felt like performing a special act of kindness. And then I thought, 'Why not cancel my friend's debt? Things are so difficult for him, you know?'.

So I called him up and told him I had canceled his debt. He was shocked! He couldn't believe it. He was so happy and later sent me a message of heart-felt gratitude.

Another time, a second friend found himself in a financial dilemma. His rent had already expired for two months, and his landlord was  threatening to throw his things out from the house the next day. Being an orphan, he only had an uncle who was partially sponsoring him. His uncle had promised to send the money in three months.

My friend called me up on the phone and told me his predicament. I had just lost my mother, and the day before my father had given me some money for my monthly upkeep. Knowing somehow that my friend needed that money more than I did-- and, coincidentally, it was the exact amount he needed-- I gave it all to him and asked him not to pay back.

"Seriously? What did you just do for me? Unbelievable!"

He was happy, and I was too. To this day, he still expresses his gratitude. 

In life, it is the small but mighty actions of love that matter. When life is over, that's what counts. 

We are love. Love unites us. Love is the key.