Glimpses of kindness in different parts of the world.
A Bus Angel
Mindanao, Philippines, 1963:
My friend Paul, a student at that time, was so smitten by a pretty lass that he scrimped whatever he could just to be able to see her. She lived in another province and Paul had to take an overnight boat trip to visit her. The passenger boat plied twice a week between our and the lass’ province. Missing the boat means waiting 3 to 4 days for its next trip.
Going from the boat’s dock to the lady’s place and back, takes a bus ride. On one occasion, Paul departed late from the lady’s house and took a bus with few passengers on board. The bus driver drove at snail’s space hoping to pick up more passengers along the way. With barely enough for bus and boat fare in his pocket Paul was worried that he could not catch the boat in time. He had no money for lodging while waiting for the next boat trip.
A middle-aged lady passenger discerned Paul’s anxiety. She smiled to him and talked loudly to the young driver. “Boy, my kidney is bursting … I need to pee. And I cannot do it here... I need to do it in my house. Will you please speed up a little bit?” The young driver laughed and obliged.
When Paul disembarked near the boat’s dock, The lady smiled and whispered to him, “Lad, have a safe trip home!”.
A Lone Christian in a Muslim Community
Jakarta, Indonesia, 1991:
In the last quarter of 1991, my job responsibility brought me to a government unit in Jakarta. I am a Christian but all the staff members I worked with in that unit were Muslims. In Indonesia, at that time, uniform lunch boxes prepared by caterers were brought to individual government offices.
During the first few days of my assignment, I ate lunch with my Muslim colleagues. I noticed a few days later that although a lunch box is still being regularly delivered to my table, my Muslim colleagues were nowhere to be found at noon. Out of curiosity, I asked a close colleague why the sudden change in their routine. And he politely explained, “This month is the holy month of Ramadan and we are all fasting and praying in mass during noon time. The big boss has instructed the caterer to continue to bring a lunch box to your table, you being a Christian and need not follow our custom.”
Humbled by the kind gesture, I fasted and prayed with my Muslim colleagues during my entire stint at their unit.
A Crowd of Samaritans
Bangkok, Thailand, 1995:
I was in a car with a friend when we saw a vehicle bump a pedestrian who dared to cross a well-traveled highway. The victim sprawled unmoving on the ground before a stunned crowd who likewise witnessed the accident. Vehicles kept speeding by not noticing or just unmindful of the accident. The closest police outpost was a few kilometers away and a mobile police patrol who was informed of the accident could not come in a short time due to heavy traffic.
When the dazed crowd regained their senses, a group formed a human ark encircling the victim. Another group posted themselves on the highway close to the victim to slow down speeding vehicles. A blanket and two wooden poles were fashioned as a stretcher and the victim was gently moved by many helping hands to the makeshift stretcher.
An old pick-up truck, the kind used by Thai farmers, stopped and the crowd carefully lifted the victim to the back of the truck. Some in the crowd boarded the truck and requested the driver to proceed to the nearest hospital.
The victim arrived at the hospital alive.
Want to review or comment on this short story?
Need a FREE Reader Membership?
Reviewed by HARI MOHAN
10/14/2014
Altruism and humans are inseparable as one don't exist without the other. Tell us more please!
This truly is a beautiful collection of stories,Regino. I am impressed by the willingness of people of different backgrounds, or who don't even know each other, to help in these situations. There is a commonality to mankind which supports my belief that God is more merciful than we can imagine...Jerry
What beautiful sharings always heartfelt to me, and very well written
In my heart I think you are a messenger of kindness and you beam lights to the hidden places many individuals may have long forgotten.
Thank you for sharing all of the beautiful messages that you do through your work. Please feel welcomed to my den space, additionally thank you for all of your gentle kindness you have long shared with me here~heartfelt and appreciated Regino.
Sincerely
From the Heart of an Artist we are all United Through Love
~Gwendolyn
Random Acts of Kindness-RAOK or RACK, is in MY Space! Waht a sight of HUGE CAring and REaching oUt!
Wow, this was good to be reminded of!
WArmly, WArrior "Spirit" Lady Sheeeoox
BE SAFE!
STay Positive!
Regino, what beautiful portraits of human goodness. You have helped to restore my faith in mankind. It is refreshing to see someone taking note of the small, simple gestures that touch a heart and bind the human race together. Thanks for sharing this!
Jean
These song lyrics and art are tales, tides and twinkling lights - tunes telling stories of warmth and sun, city and sand, paths that lead, and the coins we can keep in the Karma Bank. Spirit's been bypassed for sorrow, dreaming of a better tomorrow .
