16 Stories That Prove Kindness Is a Boomerang That Always Finds Its Way Back

Life can sometimes be like this: you help a stranger, and later on, someone lends you a hand in your time of need. These stories remind us that the world isn’t devoid of good people, and a kind act has a way of coming back to you.

• One winter evening, I was heading home with 2 full bags of groceries and a bouquet of flowers. My home wasn't far from the metro, so I went on foot.
  I hadn't walked halfway yet but was already terribly tired—there was too much snow, and it was really hard to move my feet. Then a girl called out to me from a car. She said she saw me walking from the metro.
  Turns out, we were going the same direction. She offered me a ride. Winter, a deserted street, almost night. Risky. She gave me a lift and didn't take any money, and I promised to pay it forward. © Overheard / Ideer
• Just now, I was riding the metro home. Everyone was sitting glumly, and I was no exception. Suddenly, a little boy about 4 years old with a toy in his hands approached a little girl (1-2 years old) sitting across and gifted her this wonderful toy. When asked, "What about you?" this little sunshine answered that he didn't need it.
  I was so touched by this gesture and this little gentleman that I immediately gave him a small chocolate from my pocket. It felt incredibly heartwarming. The boomerang of kindness! © Mamdarinka / VK
• My friend met her husband this way: she was looking for books, and he was selling them. When they met, she was thrilled with the neatness and quality of the books he gave away for free. My friend was so impressed that she went home and decided to write him a thank you again, and he asked her out. That's how they found each other: they live happily, read, and love their cat. © Tera / Pikabu

• The elderly neighbor knocks on my door. “My cat ran away! Will you help me find her?” Sure, I will. We searched the yard, the basements—nothing.
  Just as I returned home, there was a knock at the door. I look through the peephole and freeze. There stands the same neighbor, holding a plate of pastries. She says, “You must be hungry—your stomach was growling so much while we were looking for my cat. Take some pastries and eat; I’ll bring more later.”
  By the way, the cat came back by herself after a couple of hours.
• There’s a coffee shop near my office. In the mornings, there are usually lines, as everyone wants to grab coffee before work.
  Today I found myself in such a “traffic jam.” For some reason, the girl behind the counter was working alone, taking orders, ringing up, and preparing everything. Even though everyone in the line was nervous and in a hurry, she tried to keep smiling and chatted kindly with everyone.
  Due to the rush and heavy flow, she messed up my order completely. I just accepted my fate, but the barista got flustered and tried to make up for the mistake. She offered me any pastry on the house.
  I wanted to make her day a little brighter, so I asked what the best thing they had was. She suggested I take a chocolate croissant, but I asked her to keep it for herself so that she could have a sweet snack during her break and relax after a tough morning alone. © TARDISlover / Pikabu

• I work as a waiter in a restaurant. In the morning, I was on my way to work and got off at a stop to transfer to another bus. While waiting, an elderly man approached and asked for some spare change—he said he was very hungry. I felt sorry for him and gave him all the change I had in my pockets.
  Words can’t describe the feeling when you’re met with eyes full of gratitude and tears. He said so many nice things to me, wished me well. He said that my good deed today would come back to me, and eventually, the last guest at work left me a nice tip. © Not Everyone Will Understand / VK
• I decided to do something nice for my parents and went to the country house to pick some cherries. I picked from the small trees and left the biggest one by the gate for last. The cherries were hanging too far, and I tried to reach them from the fence and climb the branches.
  Unsuccessfully. The neighbors saw my attempts. Soon, 2 men came over with a ladder and offered to help. Others joined them—and soon a whole team formed. We worked to music and quickly picked everything.
  I gave everyone some cherries, and they shared some vegetables with me, and even gave me a lift home. Now we’re planning new gatherings and barbecues with the neighbors. I never thought a trip to the country house could be so much fun. I helped my parents and found new friends. © Not Everyone Will Understand / VK

• I studied in the evenings and worked at an electrical store. Most people usually came closer to the evening.
  One such evening, a woman came in. It was clear she was coming from work—she looked too tired and gloomy. She was looking for a kitchen lamp. She picked a blue one and said she would be right back since she didn’t have enough money. I looked at her and realized she wouldn’t make it in time.
  She was so nice and kind of radiant, just very tired. And I was tired of how often people are rude and indignant. I asked how much more she needed. Turned out, it wasn’t much! We were allowed to discount to the minimal retail price.
  So I told her, “Let me just sell it to you cheaper, and you won’t have to go anywhere else—you can sit in your cozy kitchen today.” She was very surprised. She came back the next day with juices, pastries, and a little souvenir mouse. She told me, “Let this little mouse watch over you and protect you!”
  It’s been 15 years, and my mouse still stands. I hope your home is warm and cozy too. Do good; it warms your memories for a long time. © Not everyone will understand / VK
• What do you know about a kind and supportive team? My mom called me today and yelled at me over some nonsense, and I couldn’t stand it and burst into tears.
  My coworkers noticed it but didn’t ask anything; they just stood up quietly and left, coming back with tea, a chocolate bar, and a blanket. It warmed my heart immediately, and I forgot about the argument. I’ll bring them some pastries tomorrow. © Caramel / VK
• In the summer, we were doing renovations at home and went to get building materials over the weekend. When we were done shopping and ready to drive back, I wanted to cross the road to my car and suddenly saw 2 huge trucks coming, and there was a tiny kitten on the road. The drivers couldn’t see it, and they were speeding. I didn’t hesitate, ran over, and moved the kitten to a safe spot.
  When I got back, the driver of one of the trucks came up to me and said, “Thank you.” I looked at him in surprise, and the man said, “The kitten can’t say it, so I’m saying it for him.” It warmed my heart right away. © Not everyone will understand / VK

• I always feel a little stingy when I want to buy something for myself. I’ve been saving for a new phone for a long time because I’m using an old one that’s practically falling apart.
  But the other day, my wife lost her phone somewhere on public transport. I felt sorry for her. And even though she urged me to buy a new one for myself, I took all my savings and went to the store to buy my significant other a new phone. I got it.
  I was about to leave the store, but then the manager stopped me and said that I was the 10,000th customer, so I could get anything else at the same price for free. A few minutes later, I was leaving with a smile on my face and 2 identical new phones! This is what I call a true boomerang of kindness! © Ward № 6 / VK
• The other day, I went to the store for milk, but I had mixed up my bank cards and taken the one with no money on it by mistake. I realized it while standing at the checkout. And there I was, all red-faced, trying to find some cash in my pockets, while the entire line behind me was getting impatient.
  Then one of the girls at the checkout paid for my milk. Despite all my attempts to give her my phone number to pay her back later, she just smiled and refused, saying it was a New Year’s boomerang and that I should pay it forward. Such a festive act of kindness. © Ward № 6 / VK
• I am a professional and highly paid tutor. I was approached by people from a poor family. Their grandson studies well but doesn’t understand everything. They can’t help him themselves, and he doesn’t have parents.
  I tutor him for free, and I receive much more warmth from him than from other kids. His sparkling eyes are worth more than money. The boomerang of kindness has hit me! © Ward № 6 / VK

• I’m studying in college. Right across from it, there’s a coffee shop that I go to almost every day for coffee. Today, I went in, ordered a latte, and asked the barista to hurry up a bit since my break was ending, so she started making the coffee before I could pay.
  At that moment, 2 men walked into the café; they were talking to each other at first and later exchanged a few words with me. When the coffee was ready, I handed over my card to pay and found out I didn’t have enough money on it, and I didn’t have any cash with me either.
  Embarrassed and apologizing, I said I would bring the money in 5 minutes since my school is nearby. The barista, knowing I come there often, said it wasn’t a problem at all. Right then, one of the men offered to pay for me. I said it wasn’t necessary, but he insisted, saying his friend would pay for him.
  At that moment, the barista offered to pay for the second man, creating a small boomerang of kindness. It’s incredibly nice that people still enjoy doing good for each other. © Ward No. 6 / VK
• I live in an apartment, and I have a cat. My cat is strictly indoors and has never been outside.
  One time, I went on a business trip for 3 days and asked my neighbor to look after him. When I got home, I was horrified. It turned out she let him “go for a walk,” even though I explained to her not to do that!
  As a result, he was missing for a whole day and hadn’t returned. I immediately plastered all the poles with posters and waited with a pounding heart for a call. It wasn’t even half a day before a child called me.
  It turned out he found him but couldn’t take him home, yet he saw that the cat was a house pet, so he set up a box for him and even fed the cat with sausages from his sandwich! I was, of course, extremely happy that my beloved pet was found, and I gave the boy a little money for his kindness.
  After all, every good deed should be rewarded, and he didn’t walk past but saved not only the pet but my heart as well. © Ward No. 6 / VK
• Yesterday, I was driving home from the mall with my daughter. I was stopped at a traffic light and saw an elderly woman walking on the side. Her bags were heavy, and she was struggling.
  I offered to help, saying I could give her a ride. She was a bit shy but agreed and said it wasn’t far. We had a lovely chat as we drove to her place.
  When we got there, she rummaged through her bag and pulled out 2 jars of homemade jam: apricot and raspberry. “Take these, they’re for you. Homemade, delicious, and healthy! Thank you so much for the ride!”
  It was incredibly sweet. A boomerang of kindness, no doubt. © Mamdarinka / VK

And these kind stories remind us that kindness takes a minute but means the world.