17 Stories That Prove Kindness Is the Most Beautiful Surprise Life Can Give

Sometimes life grants us small miracles — quiet, unnoticed, and incredibly warm. In this article, we put together stories that describe moments exactly like this. They will make your heart feeling lighter, and the world seeming kinder.

• I was standing at the bus stop near a residential complex when a car pulled up, and the driver offered to give a free ride to everyone going his way. When I asked why he was doing this, he said, “Many years ago, I noticed a pregnant girl here. She was tiny, but her belly was huge. She was standing there like a sparrow in the rain — all puffed up. I offered her a ride, but she was embarrassed to get in, saying she was all wet and would soak the seat.
  I was so shocked that she stood there for an entire hour in the pouring rain in shorts and a t-shirt, and people just drove by, not stopping until I did, that now I always offer rides to people. And recently, a man gave my pregnant wife a ride and even helped carry her bags to the apartment. Kindness comes back around.”
  I didn’t tell him that I was that girl, and now my friends and I always try to launch similar boomerangs of kindness. © Mamdarinka / VK
• My husband came home from work, handed me a bank card, and said, “Here, I found it.” He grabbed the dog and went outside to walk it, leaving me to search for the card’s owner.
  I decided to start simply: I transferred a dollar with the message “We found your card” and added my phone number. Literally, a couple of minutes later, I get a call. There was a young woman on the other end who was very anxious. From the conversation, it became clear that she was a stay-at-home mom waiting for her allowance to be deposited any day.
  I gave her our address, and it turned out she wasn’t far from us. A few minutes later — a buzz at the intercom. A sweet girl with a little red Pomeranian on a leash was at the door. The dogs sniffed each other, we handed the happy owner her card, and we said goodbye.
  A bit later, we received a small sum of money and a message, “Thank you to your family.” It’s a simple situation, anyone would have done the same, but it’s still very heartwarming to have been able to help someone. © Ohuzhetarybka / Pikabu

• My life turned upside down in an instant. It was an ordinary workday when a courier arrived. He held a small box in his hands, and on his face was a look of fear and excitement. He handed me the box and reached for something in his inner pocket.
  I opened it, and there was a note from my wife, saying she couldn’t wait until the evening to share this news with me. There was also a positive pregnancy test. We had been waiting 7 years for this moment! I felt tears welling up in my eyes.
  And then it became clear what the courier was reaching for: a moment later, he photographed me — it was a personal request from my wife to capture my genuine reaction. © mommdarinka / Instagram
• Not long ago, our group celebrated a friend’s birthday, who had been quite worn out emotionally this year. Besides the main gift — a camera for recording bike rides — I asked everyone, even those who wouldn’t be there (from other cities and abroad), to write heartfelt wishes on a piece of paper, scan it, and send it to me. I prepared themed envelopes, printed the wishes, sealed the letters, and packed them together with the gift.
  We celebrated with a small group, and while the birthday person was busy unpacking the letters, I took the guests to the kitchen to give him some privacy. The birthday person soon joined us. The letters moved him to tears, and he couldn’t speak for several minutes. It really lifted his spirits.
  Almost 2 months have passed, and he still occasionally mentions the gift. He loved the camera a lot, but the simple letters from friends with genuine words and wishes turned out to be the best gift of all. © Unknown author / Pikabu

• Once, when I was a kid — probably around 9 — I was walking through a grove on my way home from school. I looked down and saw something glint. I took a closer look and there were coins neatly taped together. Quite a decent stack of coins!
  I started jumping up and down like crazy, elated that I’d found such a “treasure.” I was already making plans in my head about how I would spend this bounty on sweets and soda... and then I saw a little farther ahead, a girl my age and, as it turned out later, her mom. They were combing the ground, trying to find exactly the money I had found. It was the girl’s money for music school that she had lost on the way.
  Naturally, I gave the bundle of coins back to the owners. The girl’s mom thanked me for a good 3 minutes, even tried to offer me a couple of coins, but I refused. Seeing how they had been crawling on their knees searching for the money, I couldn’t take a penny from them. © Koby27 / Pikabu
• This summer, I became one of those “kind people from the bus,” when a girl suddenly fell onto me. I managed to catch her and set her down; someone immediately ran to the driver to stop the bus. There were folks who knew how to revive her, and when asked, “Does anyone have water?” 5 bottles were passed over from various directions. No one left, even when she was briefly taken outside.
  Turns out we were getting off at the same stop (I had errands, she was going home), so I walked her to her house and asked her to text me how she was feeling after she ate. While we were on our way to her stop, she just kept smiling and quietly whispered, “You guys are so awesome.” We chatted on the way, and as we said goodbye, she hugged me tight and even called me her sunshine. One of the warmest memories I have. © Elliada / ADME

• Only my mom knows this. My cousin was having a quinceañera and the whole family was pitching in to help. My mom was going to get a cake, but as it turns out it was really expensive.
  At the time, I had been saving up for something. I don’t even remember what it was. I ended up using the money to help pay for the cake, and to be honest, it felt amazing. © FemurLemur206 / Reddit
• This happened about 14 years ago. My girlfriend and I went to the nearest pond to feed the ducks. But I only had one large bill in my wallet, and I really didn’t want to break it. You know, all those stories about how as soon as you break a bill, the money starts to go faster, but otherwise, it just sits there, pulling down your pocket.
  Back then, there were mobile stalls — so we went to one of them to get some bread. So, we were standing there, gathering coins from all our pockets for a loaf. And there was a queue after us. And then an older man came up to us and asked, “Hey guys, do you need help?”
  And that’s when it all came together: how we must’ve looked, and how unexpected and pleasant it was to receive an offer of help from a stranger. We never did feed the ducks because some inspection arrived at the pond, but that’s a whole other story. © CrioLion / Pikabu

• In my city, there’s often a strong wind that can knock over even an adult. As I was heading home, I saw a little boy being blown toward the road. I ran over, grabbed him, and walked him to the yard, shielding him from the wind. It may not seem like anything extraordinary, but from that day on, I always try to help others, even if I’m heading in the opposite direction or if I’m late... © Overheard / Ideer
• Back when I was a child, my mom enrolled me in an art school. During classes, I diligently painted with acrylics on canvas and completed the necessary tasks, but at home, a regular canvas seemed rather dull to me. So, I would take gouache, grab my mom’s dresses, and add all sorts of patterns to them.
  My mom proudly wore these “decorated” dresses to work and told everyone that her daughter was so talented. Her encouragement deeply inspired me back then, and that’s why as I grew up, I did everything I could to become a designer.
  Now, I have many high-profile clients, but for me, my biggest pride will always be my first and most important client — my mom. © Not Everyone Will Understand / VK

• I like to spend my free time in the library near my home. Recently, while reading Balzac, I found a bookmark with some page numbers. I started to open the specified pages one by one. On each, certain words were circled.
  So I took a piece of paper and wrote down the words in order. It formed this sentence, “Beautiful milady, would you agree to become my wife?” Enchanted by what I saw, I approached the librarian, who told me the story of how a young man proposed to his beloved 30 years ago. © Not everyone will understand / VK
• About 2 years ago, I was passing by a flea market. I saw an old man selling a painting, felt sorry for him, and bought it. A couple of weeks later, my uncle, who knows about antiques, came over and said that this painting was worth a lot of money.
  I barely managed to find that old man again, told him everything, and helped him sell the painting. Tears welled up in his eyes when he realized he could now live without relying on his retirement money. Right after we said goodbye, he ran to the supermarket for groceries to fill his fridge.
  He offered me half the money, but I refused. I want the old man to live for himself and enjoy what he’s long dreamed of. © Not everyone will understand / VK

• I’m raising my son alone. He had only one pair of fall boots — his favorites, but they were already quite worn out.
  Today we were walking home from daycare, playing, jumping in puddles, and at some point, he completely tore them. I was a little upset: well, we’ll have to think about how to replace them. And then a neighbor passed by, looked at me, then at my son, and asked us to come by in the evening.
  In the evening, I went to her, and she handed me a box with almost new children’s shoes. It turns out she also has a son who outgrew them, and the shoes were left brand new. Thank goodness there are kind people in this world! © Mamdarinka / VK
• In July, we bought our son some cool inline skates. He skated for a week, but then came back without them. He said he forgot them in the yard, then returned for them, and they were gone.
  My husband and I didn’t believe him, because our son is very responsible, never loses or forgets anything. We thought older kids took them, and he didn’t want to tell us. We didn’t scold or question him, we just accepted it.
  But about 2 days later, we were walking home from the market with our son, and I saw our neighbor from a troubled family skating on them. It was the first time I saw her smile and genuinely happy. My son immediately told me, “Mom, please don’t take them away from her. I’m fine without them, and I don’t mind, because her parents would never buy her skates!”
  Of course, I didn’t mind. We left the skates with the girl, and we’re planning to buy new ones for our son. I’m pleased to have such a kind-hearted son! © Not everyone will understand / VK

• Once, a conductor gave me her seat. It was about 15 years ago; I was working in a factory back then, standing for 10 hours and then taking about an hour’s bus ride home.
  After another shift, the bus was packed, and I couldn’t feel my legs, my back was killing me, it even made my eyes go dark. But I couldn’t just ask someone to give up their seat for me, I was still too young. After a couple of stops, the conductor looked closely at my face and, without a word, pulled me to her seat. And she continued her journey standing.
  It’s been 15 years, and I still remember you, wonderful woman, and I’m incredibly grateful. © AllyDy / Pikabu
• Words can’t express the feeling of warmth and happiness! Yesterday, I took the moms (my own and my husband’s) to the theater. They were happy, and a bit excited about the upcoming performance.
  After the wonderful play, I suggested we continue the evening at a restaurant. The moms nodded happily, and we spent a couple more hours in a cozy place, enjoying delicious food and a glass of wine, discussing what we’d seen. And they were so delighted about the dessert with ice cream that they looked like little girls.
  You know, maybe it’s not a cherished dream come true, not a trip to Paris, but it’s something warm and genuine. © Ward № 6 / VK

• Today, my daughter (1.9) had her first subway ride. I was worried she’d be scared and start crying, but no — everything went smoothly. So we’re sitting there, and there is a guy with a girl across from us; my daughter is making eyes at him, reaching out for a high five, and even started singing to him.
  The girl laughed out loud and then said something like, “Why are you hesitating? Look at this girl, go ahead. And the mother-in-law is young and pretty.”
  The whole car was already chuckling. Then my little madam, staring seriously at the guy, shouted loudly, “Look!” and stuck the finger in her nose. © Mamdarinka / VK

Have similar stories ever happened to you? Or did you become a real hero for someone? Share your stories in the comments below, we’d love to read about it.

And if you like kind stories, here is another collection for you.