19 People Who Showed That True Kindness Doesn’t Need a Reason, Just an Open Heart

You don’t need to look for heroes in comics or blockbusters. Sometimes it’s enough to just look around: they’re standing next to us in line, driving a bus, or sitting at the neighboring table in a café. We put together 19 stories about completely ordinary people whose unexpected kindness changed someone’s day, or even their entire life.

• I went on a date with a guy. We ordered a lot in a restaurant, then he stepped out to take a phone call.
  Half an hour passed, and he was still not back. There was no one outside, either. I thought, “Well, that’s it, I’ve been ditched.” I ended up paying myself.
  Later in the evening, he called. I started yelling at him, but he interrupted, saying that while he was on the phone, an elderly woman collapsed right in front of him, struggling to breathe. He’s a doctor, so he started assisting her, stopped a car, got her inside, and took her to the nearest hospital.
  An ambulance would have taken too long, and they would have done the same as he did. He stayed with her for several hours until the doctors assured him she was going to be fine and he could go. I burst into tears right there. © Palata 6 / VK
• I was walking from work late in the evening. Suddenly, a woman around 50 leans out of a window and shouts, “Honey, wait, stop for a second!” I’m standing under the balcony, she goes somewhere, and then returns, and I’m shocked when she throws down a brand new plastic raincoat.
  It was pouring rain, and I didn’t have an umbrella, nothing. Man, it didn’t even matter that I was already soaked and had less than 500 yards to go home, it just felt so nice that a stranger cared about me. © Caramel / VK

• Got invited for an interview. I arrive and see a few people there, mostly retirees. I listen to how they are being persuaded to take out a large loan for a “start.” The pitch is so smooth, and they’re being helped with the paperwork.
  I couldn’t stand it and decided to teach them a lesson, causing a scene right there. I managed to pull out 4 old ladies, explaining to them that it was a scam. Then, for a couple of days, I got calls from the office, claiming I took away their clients. © Overheard / VK
• I’m the only girl at work, and I have the lowest salary. A coworker comes up to me and says, “I feel sorry for you, earning pennies. And you’re a girl, you need things like pads and shampoos.” He sighed and left. Then he came back and handed me a small bundle of money.
  Turns out he asked the entire team to chip in a little bit from each paycheck for my feminine necessities, and no one objected. At first, I refused, but my coworkers were persistent. I wasn’t going to be outdone: as soon as my salary increased, I baked pies for the whole team. That’s our mutual charity. © Caramel / VK
• I was 9 years old, waiting for the school bus in Wisconsin winter. I had a thin coat, no hat or gloves. A woman driving past saw me and stopped, giving me a blanket from the back of her car. It was a long, skinny one, so she wrapped it around my head and shoulders like a big scarf.
  I remember thanking her, but being confused. I told her I didn’t know how I would give it back when I was done borrowing it. She hugged me and said not to worry. I still have that blanket. © saintdelft / Reddit

• Once upon a time, when we were very young, my then-boyfriend (now husband) invited me to a restaurant. It was my first time going to a place like this. I was used to eating in cafeterias, but here we had waitresses, a live orchestra, and the atmosphere. We spent over 2 hours at the place and didn’t want to leave, but our budget was tight.
  Suddenly, the waitress brings over dessert and says it’s from the couple at the next table. We turned around, and there was this sweet elderly couple. They came over to us, wished us a wonderful evening, and said that watching us reminded them of their youth.
  It was so delightful. Soon, we’ll be older ourselves, and we’re planning to spread the same kind of kindness! © Mamdarinka / VK
• When I was a teenager, I worked at a gas station and had no bank account, so I had to go get my check cashed. Once after I got paid I went to a Walgreen’s and brought some stuff up to the counter. I went to grab the wad of cash I thought was in my pocket, but it was gone. I started to panic and said my money must have fallen out.
  The cashier asked how much was it I’d lost, so I said about $300. She said, “We have your money. Someone picked it up off the floor and turned it in.” I will always be eternally grateful to whoever did that because I was completely broke and really needed it. © Rubycon_ / Reddit
• A friend of mine didn’t invite her mother to her wedding; their relationship is terrible. Her mom always caused a scene, and my friend had always felt embarrassed.
  So, it was the big day, and suddenly, I saw a look of horror on the groom’s face. The bride didn’t notice, but I followed his gaze and saw her mother! Her malicious smile was so wide that it was clear the celebration was in danger. She was walking through the crowd, and some of our friends recognized her and were stunned.
  Something had to be done. I immediately went to meet her, took her by the arms, and pulled her toward the exit. She started making a fuss, but just then the ceremony ended, the musicians started playing the march, and in the noise, the security guard and I managed to usher her out of the hall. The police arrived and took her away.
  My friend found out her mom came to the wedding a few days later and thanked me with tears in her eyes for saving the best day of her life. © Overheard / VK

• I didn’t do very well in university. By the time of the final exams, I hadn’t managed to learn anything because I was working. I came in, picked up a ticket, and sat down to prepare.
  Strangely enough, under stress, I remembered everything. I answered the main questions. Then they started bombarding me with additional questions. I sat there in a stupor, and suddenly the professors began to help me with the answers.
  In the end, I passed the exams well and even got into the master’s program with a scholarship. © Caramel / VK
• I was on the subway, sitting there crying because I had just ended a relationship. I wasn’t making any noise, just tears, but the guy sitting next to me gave me some tissues. I’ll never forget that. © screamingcupcakes / Reddit
• I was dating a promising guy. He was offered to move abroad for work, and he couldn’t make up his mind — on one hand, there was me, and on the other, a long-awaited promotion. I didn’t have deep feelings for him, so I honestly confessed this in hopes of easing his decision. We hugged goodbye, and he left soon after.
  I met him recently: he said he’s doing well, bought a house, and he came here to visit his mom. He thanked me for my honesty because back then, he was leaning toward staying with me. It warmed my heart, and I’m really happy for him. © Overheard / VK

• I was walking around in a supermarket when I saw a small old lady struggling to put a 24-pack of water bottles into her driving cart thing. I walked over to her, asked if she needed help (I was going to help her either way) and I put three 24-pack water bottles into her cart. She gave me a hug and told me to have a blessed day, and it felt amazing. © Swagpotato44 / Reddit
• Recently, I was walking through the mall and saw a claw machine. I stood there playing.
  A little boy came up and watched. I felt sorry for him. I remembered how, as a child, I always wished someone would let me play. I put some money for a few games and left the machine for him.
  A little later, I met him in the same mall, now with his dad, and in his hands was a teddy bear. I said to him, “Well done!” And he gave me that teddy bear! I nearly died from cuteness overload right then and there. © Pizzaisptitsi / Pikabu
• A little parrot flew into my grandfather’s apartment recently. At first, it was scared. But the next day, after it had warmed up, eaten, and drank, it started talking, “Annie. Annie is good. Annie loves Kesha. Annie goes to Sunny.”
  I assumed it was a private kindergarten in the neighboring building. I took a picture of the parrot and started looking for Annie. And I found her. You should have seen how thrilled this little girl was.
  When she came with her parents to pick up Kesha, I saw for the first time a parrot cry! Annie hugged her Kesha and whispered that they would be home soon. None of us could take our eyes off this cuteness.
  The girl’s parents told me that the parrot was already 12 years old, and since her birth, they’ve been best friends. Grandma forgot to close the window, so he flew away. But the whole family is very happy that their feathered friend has returned to them. © Palata 6 / VK

• Once I heard someone shout “excuse me” but I couldn’t look back as I was running late for class, then a different person reached me to give my oyster card (public transport card in England). Turns out I’d dropped it, and they staged a relay race to give it to me. © shrekseyelash / Reddit
• We were at the playground with my son. He was playing in the sandbox, and there was another little boy about 2 years old nearby. He reached for my son’s toy car, but my son didn’t agree, “I won’t give it!” The little boy started crying and ran to his parents.
  His mom said, “Don’t mind him, he always cries over anything.” Meanwhile, my son stood there, clinging to his car, frowning. So I made a bold move and said, “Well, come on, he’ll just look and give it back. Maybe he’ll offer you something in exchange.”
  My son stood there thinking, then sighed, went over to the boy, and handed him the car. I honestly teared up. My son turned to me. I spread my arms wide, and he ran over for a hug. It was such a touching moment.
  A couple of minutes later, that boy came over with his own toy car, and they sat playing in the sandbox — each with the other one’s car. © fialka573 / Pikabu
• I was walking with the stroller. Some inconsiderate folks had parked their cars all over the sidewalk — I couldn’t squeeze through.
  I noticed a guy sitting in one of the cars. I knocked on the window, asking him to move the car a bit. He snapped back, telling me to get lost and that I shouldn’t be wandering here. I was on the verge of tears.
  Then suddenly, out of nowhere, a big guy showed up, made the driver get out, and explained quite clearly what a jerk he was. The driver got back in and drove off. I didn’t even have a chance to thank the man — he disappeared quickly. © Mamdarinka / VK

• A woman came to our pawnshop with something valuable. She said her mother had cancer, and she needed money for medication. Our appraiser, who is also the manager, valued the ring at mere pennies, even though it was clearly worth more.
  After the manager left, the woman started crying, saying it wasn’t enough, and she urgently needed the money. It broke my heart. I told her where else she could go to sell it at a higher price.
  Later, she called us back. The manager answered, listened to her thanks. And then, of course, he scolded me. I cried, but I believe I did the right thing, because I acted like a human being! © Overheard / VK
• I got stuck in traffic on a bus. It’s pouring rain, with tired and irritated passengers inside. A squabble started: no one would give up their seat for a pregnant woman. The air was charged with resentment.
  And suddenly, at one of the stops, the driver announced, “Friends! I know we all had a tough day. I can’t do anything about the weather or traffic. But here’s what I can do.
  I suggest each of you get off through the front door. I’ll extend my hand, and you need to place your worries and troubles in it, alright? I’ll drive further across the river on the bridge and throw all this stuff straight into the water. Sound good?”
  The passengers laughed. Their faces brightened. At the next stop, the driver put his hand through the ticket window and waited.
  One by one, passengers exited through the front door and pretended to place something in his palm. Some laughed, some cried, but everyone touched the driver’s hand. At the next stop, the driver extended his hand again. And so it went through every stop until the river. © Caramel / VK

Do you agree that having people like this around is a true blessing! Which of these stories inspired you the most? And do you have your own story about unexpected kindness shown to you by a completely ordinary person? Share it in the comments!

Here’s another collection of heartwarming stories.