Stories of Kindness from Around the World

A Dime for a Folder


--by mikee, posted Oct 16, 2007
I have recently thought about an incredible act of compassion extended to me many years ago.

In fourth grade we were suppose to bring in a dime for a folder to use in class. My parents were divorced and money was in short supply. Watching my mom fend off creditors, I did not have the nerve to ask her for a dime. When I got to school, I really wish I had asked my mother for the dime because everybody else in class had the dime ready on their desk for the teacher. I was embarrassed and felt silly.

Somehow, A girl named Karen, sitting next to me, saw my personal suffering and waited until the last second to put a dime on the corner of my desk. Even though I never said a word, she saw my quiet anguish and only wanted to relieve it. She said nothing and I was too embarrassed to say thank you. It was the most genuine, authentic act of kindness I've ever experienced.
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Readers Comments

AURELIA wrote: Such compassion at a very young age. I think it is so neat you remembered that! Keep paying it forward and you will keep the 'ripple effect' going. Remember, Smile, it's contaigous. ~Aurelia
Sasha wrote: I'm so happy to know that you remembered that act of kindness, so many times kindness is forgotten and sometimes discourage persons from showing kindness. But I bet your story has encourage someone to continur thier act of kindness.
Angel4eva wrote: thats so nice of her thats definitley 4 smiles
bibirose wrote: What mixed emotions you must have had that day...but the memory of someone so caring must fill your heart with the gentleness that compassion can only give.
Merv wrote: That's wonderful, thanks. I'm glad you remembered that one.

Seems that the results of hate and anger always are expensive to repair, but kindness never is. Lucky for me!

(Gee I almost got that thought expressed :^)
JuneBug wrote: Just goes to show you random acts are forever instilled in our memories...Thanks for sharing your story!
Geisha wrote: Hasn't something like this happened to all of us at some point in our lives? True kindness breaks the heart wide open and if we're lucky, and paying attention, we let that moment guide us the rest of our lives. Thank you for remembering and sharing it all these years later.
austin wrote: it was a very good story because the girl that was sitting next to him looked at him and gave him a dime because by his look he was enbarrassed.
jojomcb wrote: WHAT A WONDERFUL ACT OF KINDNESS
FROM SOMEONE SO YOUNG.
TOO TOO AWESOME.
denim1951 wrote: That was a special story thank you for sharing it with everyone

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