Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Drive-By Lift


--by harshvmehta, posted Sep 16, 2007
[ Last time I posted a story and the response I received was overwhelming. Truly, I felt great inside. Thanks a lot to all for your appreciation. Today I am posting another story. ]

Last Sunday, I got ready to visit my daughter. She lives with her mother in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India. I stay about 35 kms. away and go every sunday to be with my daughter. Usually I carry balloons for her.  In fact, balloons have become my trademark of my fatherhood. That's how my daughter recognizes me! :)

This time, though, I left from home feeling a bit lazy. I would have actually left half an hour earlier but somehow I  was lazy in doing my chores and left a bit late. As usual, I drove to nearby garden to get some balloons but it was Sunday morning time and no balloon-wala was around.  So I thought, "Why not get some flowers," and stopped at a nearby florist for some fresh flowers.

As the florist was busy selecting some good flowers for me, a guy comes by to stop for some directions.  He had gone to the city for some exam on Sunday and was to return to Gandhinagar, where he lived.   He was inquiring about the nearest bus station.  Overhearing him, I interrupted and ask about where he wanted to go.

In our neighborhod, usually no one wants to interact with strangers and give them lift.  Actually, I'm one amongst those.  I don't allow strangers with me and nor do I talk to them. But this time, I was in a good mood, eager to see my daughter and give her flowers too. In that mood, I interrupted. I said to this youngster, "Hey, I am going to Gandhinager too, to give to see my daughter, and I can just give you a lift if you want."

He was totally surprised. He did not believe what I said. I said 'Here's my car.  Come, I'll drop you. I am also going there.'  The florist was surprised too!  He stared at us for a while and then smiled, at our spontaneous connection of the heart.

As I dropped him off, it was clear that both of us were overjoyed.  He was overwhelmed and I felt deeply satisfied in my heart. :)

2008 Reads

Readers Comments

smoothsugardoll wrote: One act of kindness can touch many lives. Thanks for sharing. God bless.
JuneBug wrote: YOU ARE SO WONDERFUL IN SO MANY WAYS!! Keep it up!!!
brighteyes wrote: Harsh....you have an open, generous heart and when you acted spontaneously another benefitted....how wonderful.
God works thru all of us if we are open and willing to serve. Here's to your future RAOK's and sharing the stories with us all....I am not as courageous as you and believe I would not have offered that man a ride....I loved the comment from justoneheart about her Grandpa says that strangers are another of God's children needing help....great way to look at others.
Smiles & Blessings to you and your daughter....Brighteyes ;)
harshvmehta wrote: Dear All,

Thanks a lot for your kind words and appreciation. :)

Harsh :)
butterfly wrote: that is an amazing story. you are a very special angel. i loved your story.
jacqueline wrote: Yes I agree with Butterfly, an angel in disguise!
cackland wrote: your right! no one does this anymore...or ever! What a wonderful story, your daughter is extremly lucky!
justoneheart wrote: Very excellent! Also loving for our planet by car pooling and saving gas! My father tells me stories of his father who would pick up hitchhikers with all his kids in the car and give them a lift. I thought this was crazy talk! I could not pick up a stranger with my daughter in the car. Grandpa would tell his kids "Just another one of Gods children needing a little help!" He was a great man always giving to others, and seeing the good in each.
oldlady wrote: this was very nice of you;very seldom does anyone stop to help people anymore. you deserve a pat on the back!
AURELIA wrote: Hello Harsh. You are doing great deeds! I'm proud of you for doing what feels right. Helping others out does feel good, especially when it's appreciated! You are a great person and dad. Keep up your visits and keep on the look out for acts of kindness. ~Aurelia

Add A Comment

Submit your own
story of Kindness

Search by keyword

Tags

Subscribe to the Kindness Newsletter

143K subscribers

About Us

KindSpring is a place to practice small acts of kindness. For over a decade the KindSpring user community has focused on inner transformation, while collectively changing the world with generosity, gratitude, and trust. The site is 100% volunteer-run and totally non-commercial. It is a shared labor of love.

Other servicespace Projects Include

KindSpring.org is a project of ServiceSpace. BY-NC-ND 4.0