A Small Kindness.

Read this story in a school mag (cant remember which school). Quite thought provoking :

I was walking along the school corridor that day when i noticed a boy carrying a load of books. I recognise him as we are of the same form but different class. He is one of the genius ones in our school.

Suddenly, some of his books fell to the floor, and the ones he is still carrying is risking the same fate. On instinct, I quickly rushed forward to help him with the books.

"Gee, thanks.." he thanked me profusely, clearly shocked with my sudden existence. And help.

"Where are you heading with all these books?" I asked him, still curious. People don't normally bring this much books around.

"Urm...home. i guess.." he answered reluctantly.

"And where is that?"

Discovering that we actually live in the same neighborhood, i offered to carry some of them as we walk together home. I just feel like being helpful that day.

While we walk and chat companionably, I discovered that he is actually quite a pleasant person and we do have some common interests. We even decided to do some of the things together.
Unsurprisingly, in quite a short time, we become friends. Well, not really the best of friends but we do hang out a lot and study together. He helped me a lot with my study and I taught him to play basketball - my favourite game. This lasted throughout our schooling days.

Time passed and we completed school. He was, as predicted by all, honoured as the best student during graduation, it is the tradition for the best student to go up stage and make some sort of a speech. We were sitting side by side in that hall. When the time comes, he got up to make that speech.

"Members of the hall, today I am taking this opportunity to tell you one story...last year, I was at the lowest point in my life. Though I excel academically, my life was not happy. I had no friends, I was always alone, people don't even talk to me. They think I am nobody, a nerd. To me, the world is a cruel place. At that point, I was so down I even decided to end my life. Yes, I decided to commit suicide. But before I do that, I wanted to make things easier for others. I don't want my death to be a burden to others. So, I wrote a suicide note for my parents, cleaned my room, did my laundry. And the last thing I had to do was to clear my locker. When I was doing that, suddenly I met this person..."

He looked straight at me. I was speechless. Did he actually mean me?

"...who showed to me that there are still people who do care. Who are willing to be my friend. Who are willing to be nice to others. I then realised that the world is not so cruel as I thought it was..."

I was plainly shocked. I never knew all those facts, and I didn't realise that I had given that much effect on a person...

Never underestimate how much effect we have on the live of others. Maybe it's time we start spreading some kindness around. A small kindness could go a long way. Longer than we expect.