Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Gypsy Girl On a German Bus


--by swirly023, posted Nov 13, 2007
While we were riding the old German bus in Tirana (Albania), a gypsy girl entered. Seven years old. Most gypsy kids have a 'dead' look in their eyes. Hardened by the world, by what they have experienced. The Albanian gypsies live in slums, their children beg on the streets so that the parents can afford to buy alcohol and continue their addiction. Girls as young as twelve wash car windows at the stoplight, holding a baby with their other arm. Little kids lay down on the sidewalks of Tirana to catch some sleep and rest their dirty limbs. Everytime we saw this hardened 'dead' look in their eyes.

But not this girl. She was radiant. A beautiful smile across her face, sparkling eyes. She just stood there, in between me and my two friends. Flip flops, black t-shirt, short messy brown hair which matched her tomboy personality. A joyful presence. She started talking to us, and our Albanian friend translated for us. This little girl -smile from ear to ear- was called Angela. She was on her way to visit her grandfather in a nearby slum-village. I desperately searched my purse for something nice to give to her, while the bus driver smiled and ignored the fact that this girl had not payed for a ticket.

Sadly all I had with me was gum. She eagerly put a piece in her mouth, then squinted her eyes because the gum was mint-flavored. It seemed like she had never tasted it before. She started giggling and people in the bus were entertained by it all. Then grabbed the big plastic bag she was carrying, waved and hopped out of the bus.

Out of our lives. But not out of my mind.  This girl deserves so much more than her poor circumstances, yet she didn't let any of it get her down and there was something radiant within her that was shining through.  I pray I will meet her again someday, so that I can give her that hug which I should have given her that day in the bus!
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Readers Comments

Angel4eva wrote: Great good for you i really do hope you meet her again some day
eleutheria wrote: Gypsys are really extradanary things... When I lived in Greece, there were a family of them on my island. They were the dearest people you ever did see.

They were quiet and humble, happy with their lot in life, and always very greatful whenever you gave them anything.

It goes to show, we shouldn't stereo type people!

lillaura wrote: What a great experience. It is amazing how resilient we as humans are. This young child faces unimaginable human suffering and through her own sublimation see joy in others. Amazing.
aarteestic wrote: sad stories of children and old people always bring tears to my eyes. I wish that little angela gets all the peace and love in her life that she and every little child on this earth deserves. I pray that may she be Blessed with choicest clessings by God today and always. Also, God bless her for spreading so many smiles and so much warmth around.
Loretta D. Peres wrote: Sweet story, brought a smile to my face. Just brings a reminder of the simple joys of life. Thank you.
akbj wrote: Your story reminded me that chilrdren are amazingly resilient sometimes & this child was obviously gifted at joy. She'll remember you.
JuneBug wrote: This was a very nice story to share...She must have been an angel,huh? :}
Al Schweitzer wrote: The Gypsies are a people who, because of the turmoil of wars and anarchy, migrated into Asia Minor and thence to Europe from Northern India over a 1000 years ago. Because many of them still look "Indian" over 2 million Gypsies were cooked by Hitler in the same ovens in which he dispatched 6 million Jews. While Germany has paid close to $60B in reparations to Israel for the harm it did to the Jews, it has no paid a plugged nickel to the Gypsy survivors of its killing camps. A great act of Charity would be for a bunch of lawyers to take a cause of the Gypsies and sue Germany for reparations for the Gypsies. Any takers?
irongrace wrote: its amazing how small things like gum mean so much to someone who has never had it. I just realized what i take for granted. I hope you meet her some day.
EePee wrote: Dear Swirly023,
THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH for sharing your gift in the most unexpected package!(:-)

There is so much beauty to be seen, if only we would be more aware. I tend much too often to see the negative instead of turning all negatives into positives.

I wish everyone the eyes to see!
E

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