17 Moments That Prove Kindness Is the Warmth the World Needs

In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we often stop noticing the small acts of human kindness. It’s even more valuable that there are people around us who do good, and those who share it with others. Sometimes, all it takes to believe in something better is one little story. And if there are several of them, the world doesn’t seem so gloomy anymore.

• My friend likes to answer unknown numbers in a shrill voice: “Secretary of the District Committee’s office!” Usually, callers are taken aback and hang up.
  But then, this one elderly lady called. She was delighted and started pouring out her problems. My friend listened to her and said, “Your request has been accepted for review. Please wait.” And then he hung up.
  Later, he talked to a local organization where school kids help elderly people, and arranged for her to receive assistance. However, just in case, he changed his number. © Shkogwarts / VK
• It’s a long ride to my school, so I usually have an unequal battle with sleep on the bus. This time I sat by the window, and some grandma sat next to me. As we rode, I didn’t notice that I dozed off. I abruptly woke up because I had rested my head on this grandma’s shoulder, and she was gently patting me.
  I tried to move away, but she said, “Just tell me where you need to get off, and I’ll wake you up.” And when I got off the bus, she even gave me some pies she was bringing for her grandchildren but decided to share a little with me. It was the best morning ever. © Shkogwarts / VK
• The wife and I were in our late twenties with 5 kids and not a lot of money, but we were getting by just fine on our own. We decided to take the kids to dinner at a restaurant.
  While sitting there, I notice a couple (early thirties maybe) across from us talking back and forth and then they both looked over at us, I just smiled. A little later they got up to leave, and the lady stopped between the wife and I, leaned in and said, “We picked up the tab for your meal, your children are so well-behaved.” © Bro-KV / Reddit

• At the dawn of our family life, we were vacationing in France. We went into a perfume shop when suddenly my husband slapped his forehead — he’d forgotten his wallet at the hotel. He told me to go ahead and shop while he’d be right back.
  Half an hour went by — no sign of him. An hour later — I was on the verge of a breakdown. Then a security guard approached me and said, “Madam, be careful, there are pickpockets around. If you like, I can stand by you until your husband returns.” He smiled warmly at me, even though there were plenty of other customers in the store.
  We stood and talked for a bit (I know a little French), and then finally, my husband showed up. He had to return to the hotel twice: first for the wallet and then for his glasses, which he’d forgotten at the concierge desk.
• My child opened the car door. A gust of wind blew, and my son couldn’t hold the door, which bumped the neighboring Porsche. It didn’t dent it — just left a small mark, like a scuff. I thought, here comes a big expense.
  I knocked on the wheels hoping to trigger the alarm, but it didn’t work, so I left a note. The owner called and said, “No worries, I have a protective film, it’s all okay.” He also appreciated that I didn’t just run. © Unknown author / Pikabu
• My wife went on a business trip for 2 months. When the neighbors found out I was living in the cottage alone, they began to feed me with cucumbers, tomatoes, pies, and pastries. Yesterday, I stopped by a friend’s work, and he said, “Let me cut you some sausage. While your wife is away, you’re not likely to buy any for yourself.” © papazov1 / Pikabu

• Dad spent his last weeks in a hospital. I’d not been eating and had lost a lot of weight.
  A staff nurse called Ann stopped me on my way into the unit. Took me in the office, made me tea and toast and just sat with me. Let me cry.
  This was years ago, and I was a newly qualified nurse. That tea and toast was paid forward hundreds of times. © GingerbreadMary / Reddit
• I was descending into the subway in the evening. Near the escalator, I noticed a sad lady who threw a Band-Aid that had slipped off her heel into the trash and slowly hobbled on. We had to wait a long time for the train, and I ended up in the same car with the sad lady.
  I dug into my stash for a Band-Aid and handed it to her. Maybe it wouldn’t help. But at least she smiled. © Aichka / Pikabu
• I was running for the bus and dropped my phone without noticing it until I got inside the bus. I got off at the next stop but didn’t find the phone when I ran back.
  At home, I called my number from my wife’s phone. A woman answered and promised to return it. Not only did she return it, but she also came to my wife’s work to give it back. © romzes.fire / Pikabu

• About a few months ago I was on holiday in France with my mom, dad, and my best friend. While going up in the elevator, this little boy and his mom get on. He has a little flower in his hand, but he’s obviously very shy so he’s hiding behind his mom whispering things to her.
  Right before I get off, he stops me, hands me the flower and says, “You’re the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen!” and gives me a tiny hug. Probably the cutest and nicest thing that’s ever happened to me. © Unknown author / Reddit
• I was standing at a bus stop waiting for the bus. A bunch of people were there, among them 2 guys talking in a language I didn’t recognize. I thought to myself, they’re probably talking about something shady.
  Then a woman approached me and said, “Miss, I understand their language. They’re planning to steal your phone, close your bag.” Thank you, woman! © Overheard / Ideer
• One day, my husband and I were riding the bus. We were standing in the crowd, in the stifling heat, tired after work. I noticed a young man glancing at me. I felt awkward and hid behind my husband.
  Then this guy tapped my husband and said, “Guys, here are 2 movie tickets. I can’t go, so have a good time.” We were stunned, thanked him, and even offered to pay for the tickets — he wouldn’t accept. He said he just wanted us to have a good time. © Overheard / Ideer

• When my daughter was young, we were in a store and she wanted a doll. I didn’t have the money to buy it. So a woman heard our conversation and gave me 20$ to buy the doll for her. My daughter still talks about this, 30 years later.
  And I was recently in the same store and a little girl asked her mom for a toy and the mom said she didn’t have the money. I told her about my daughter and gave her 20$ to buy her daughter a toy. I will never forget that woman who made a lifelong memory for my daughter. © eeyorex / Reddit
• I was walking into one of my first-ever job interviews, wearing a jacket and tie that probably looked a little out of place on me, a portly, long-haired nerd/hippie. A middle-aged lady and I crossed in the vestibule of the building. She looked at me and said, “You look nice today!”
  Surprised, I said, “Thanks! I’m going for a job interview upstairs!” She nodded and said, “You’ll get it.” She walked out the door and I never saw her again, and I went upstairs and nailed the interview and got the job. © ratbastid / Reddit
• The last couple of days, an excavator keeps going past us. Each time, it picks up old asphalt from the road in the city, fills its bucket, and covers the large potholes we have. We tried filling them ourselves where we could, but you can only fit a couple of buckets in a car trunk, and in just a couple of days, it filled a lot of big holes. © Zampo / Pikabu

• When I was finishing school, my mom was called to the principal’s office. I was in a panic, wondering what I had done. But he gave her $200 for my prom dress and said, “I’m sorry I can’t give more!” Later, I found out that the principal helped all the girls from low-income families. © Overheard / Ideer
• I was riding the tram moving at full speed. Suddenly, it braked sharply — people nearly toppled forward. The driver got off the tram and a few seconds later came back on.
  Everyone started asking what had happened. She replied, “A kitten was sitting on the tracks, I moved it.” Nobody had any objections. © Overheard / Ideer

And these stories prove that kindness takes a moment but moves the world.