In a world where the internet often feels like a gloomy and disheartening space, it’s no surprise that many of us struggle to find positivity and joy online. With news outlets frequently reporting on tragic events and social media often being used as a platform for venting and negativity, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the constant barrage of negativity. That’s why, in an effort to brighten up your day, we’ve gathered a collection of heartwarming stories from around the web. Instead of focusing on dark secrets or unpleasant experiences, we’ve gathered tales of wholesome secrets that people have kept from their loved ones. These secrets may not be sinister or scandalous, but they’re sure to bring a smile to your face and restore your faith in the goodness of people. So if you’re in need of a little pick-me-up, take a break from the doom and gloom of the internet and indulge in these heartwarming stories. They’re a reminder that, despite all the negativity, the internet can also be a place of joy, kindness, and happiness.
#1: A single card is capable of a great deal of work.
There are times when all that is required for success in life is a modicum of self-assurance. When you have more self-assurance, you will have a better chance of applying for that job and negotiating a reasonable salary for yourself. If they notice your abilities, not only are you more likely to put in an audition for the sports team or the part in the school play, but you also have a better chance of being selected for it. But how exactly does one go about acquiring such self-confidence in the first place?
There are a lot of different ways that you can better yourself, but it doesn’t hurt to get some encouragement from a friend every once in a while. The following is a heartwarming story about a man who gave his friend Valentine’s card. The confidence boost she received from receiving the card appears to have made a significant difference in the woman’s life.
#2: A Delightful and Loving Grandmother
If you are lucky enough to have a wonderful grandmother, you probably already know that she or he is the best there is. If you pay them a visit, they will make an effort to feed you; if it is your birthday or Christmas, they will get you a present, even if they are living paycheck to paycheck; and if you are in need of assistance, they will try their best to be of assistance to you.
Naturally, this can make you concerned about the person in question and the state that their finances are in at times. Therefore, this individual came up with the best possible solution: whenever his grandmother gives him money, he figures out a way to give it back to her. Grandma enjoys helping others, but she is not putting her own retirement at risk by giving away all of her money.
#3: Treat Your Niece with Kindness and Respect
Children are frequently kind and devoted. I mean, they can be little monsters at times, but there’s something about the way our children, siblings, nieces and nephews, and cousins just want to be near us that warms my heart. This includes all of the cousins and nieces, and nephews that we have.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that this girl’s niece had such a strong desire to assist her in locating her misplaced phone; of course, she wants to assist a cherished aunt. When the aunt saw how disheartened her niece was that she couldn’t find the phone, she did the kindest thing possible and hid it in a spot where her niece could find it. When the niece found out how much she had contributed, I’m sure she was overcome with happiness.
#4: Procuring Provisions for Daily Needs
It’s not always easy for people to take advantage of charitable giving opportunities. Perhaps it’s a matter of pride, but there are some people who refuse to acknowledge that they have a problem or that they need help. Sometimes it’s a matter of guilt; they feel bad taking money or time from other people when they know those people could be spending their money and time on other things. Other times, it’s just a matter of not wanting to take advantage of someone else’s generosity.
What should you do in this situation where someone desperately needs help but refuses to accept it? It is possible for you to concoct a harmless white lie in order to ensure that they are able to purchase the necessary groceries without feeling guilty about taking money from you. What are your thoughts on this variety of lies that is considered acceptable?
#5: We’re Getting There
This story not only makes me laugh but also serves as a reminder that the pinnacle of compassion and proper behavior is to avoid making other people unhappy or uncomfortable. If a member of a person’s family consistently gets the date of that person’s birthday wrong, it’s possible that the person will become irritated and feel compelled to point out the error to the relative in question.
Not so in this particular instance! Because of the misunderstanding regarding her sister’s birthday, this young lady was obviously concentrating on the idea that her grandmother had good intentions and that it was just an honest mistake. If she had insisted on correcting Grandma, I’m sure they wouldn’t be as happy as they are now, but I’m sure she and her grandmother are much happier now.
#6: Providing Covert Assistance
When someone you care about needs help but won’t accept it out of pride, it can be challenging to find a solution that works for both parties. However, acknowledging that you are struggling to make things work on your own and accepting assistance, even from a loved one (or, in some cases, especially from a loved one), can be extremely challenging. It is completely understandable that this can be a difficult thing to do.
Therefore, this person came up with an ingenious plan to be of assistance. Because his loved one is adamant about going to a food pantry rather than accepting his help, he provides assistance behind his loved one’s back by making sure the food pantry has something that satisfies his loved one’s needs. This solution is beneficial for everyone involved: he is aware that he is helping, while the other person is able to keep their dignity.
#7: Still Valuable
This hit close to home for me as my parents have only just recently become “empty nesters.” It would be strange to spend the first 18 years or more of your life working tirelessly to keep a number of small humans alive, especially when those small humans do the most ridiculous things, and then all of a sudden have them leave home, leaving you with little to do. This would be especially strange if the small humans did the most ridiculous things.
The author’s solution, in which she persistently seeks her parents’ guidance in order to reassure them that they continue to be important and valued, is one that I admire. Additionally, because of their wealth of life experience, our parents typically have sound advice to offer, which is another reason why it’s a smart idea to continue to seek it out even after you’ve moved out on your own.
#8: Blues on Your Birthday
Do you agree that birthdays are like a sword with two edges? It is a day for people to remember you, so if you’re fortunate, you’ll receive notes, Facebook messages, greeting cards, and awesome gifts from those who care about you. Nevertheless, failing to acknowledge you on your birthday is far more hurtful than doing so on any of the other days of the year.
Therefore, this worker decided to take matters into her own hands and make sure that her boss’s birthday was acknowledged by the office that he works in. The fact that this poor guy now thinks that his boss isn’t a complete jerk, which isn’t true, isn’t going to change the fact that he received a wonderful birthday present, but he can feel good about himself.
#9: Volunteering and Giving Back While Having Fun
If you go to a school in which students are responsible for paying for all of their own field trips, it can be particularly challenging for students whose parents do not have the financial means to cover the costs. How discouraging would it be to have to spend the day in yet another boring class while all of your friends went out and had fun?
During her time at school, the person who wrote this post found herself in a situation similar to the one described above. She did not allow herself to become resentful or angry about it; rather, she channeled those emotions into a drive to assist other children in avoiding being put in a situation similar to her own. How beautiful it is to let a traumatic experience from your past motivate you to be a better person in the future for the benefit of other people.
#10: Tuna Surprise
When I was younger, a friend and I had a sleepover at her house, and while we were there, we took a plate of cookies to her sister. When we got home, we were so proud of ourselves for baking those cookies, but we were so embarrassed when we realized that we had forgotten to add butter to them. We were so proud of ourselves for baking those cookies.
Therefore, I have no problem comprehending why the grandmother in this tale would request that her grandson keep the identity of her casserole, which does not contain tuna, a secret. In light of the fact that his grandmother has passed away, I find it absolutely endearing how a humorous story has evolved into a warm and fuzzy memory for him.
#11: Helping Out with Mom
When their children are young, it is common practice for parents to support them financially. However, there comes a time in every parent-child relationship when the child reaches an age where they are able to care for themselves, and at that point, things shift. At this point in their lives, some individuals believe that they owe their parents absolutely nothing and instead only care about themselves.
After your parents have spent so much money raising you, other people understand that it is really nice to help them out on occasion if you can if you have the means to do so. This clever young man figured out a way to covertly help his mother with household expenses without attracting her attention. That’s a wonderful son to have.
#12: Giving Behind Closed Doors
We spent time talking about how challenging it can be to offer assistance to a person who is going through a challenging time but is unwilling to accept assistance due to pride, stubbornness, guilt, or shame. The situation is made even more challenging when the individual in question is incapable of accepting assistance, making it impossible for the person for whom they are caring to receive the support they require.
However, this individual came up with an ingenious solution: they decided to donate anonymously. What a wonderful thing it is that this youngster was, at long last, able to get their hands on the baseball glove that they needed! And this person did it in such a way that the stubborn grandmother could find no fault in anyone else’s actions.
#13: Best wishes for the holiday of love!
It was always a mystery to me why our teachers insisted, if we were going to bring any valentines to school, that we bring enough for the entire class; why couldn’t I just give them to the people I was closest to? Now that I’m older and hear the saddest stories about people who didn’t receive anything on Valentine’s Day, I completely understand why teachers do it, and I have no problem with it. In fact, I think it’s a wonderful idea.
How disheartening would it be to have to sit through an entire day of school knowing that no one cared enough about you to give you Valentine’s card? These girls made a positive choice to be kind, despite the fact that their instructor did not require them to do so. I’m relieved to hear that this youngster obtained at least one Valentine on that day.
#14: the happiest spot on the entire planet
It’s possible that taking your whole family on vacation together could turn out to be one of the most memorable and enjoyable experiences of your life. However, this can also be challenging due to the fact that there may be significant wealth gaps within a family; what may seem like a modest sum of money to one member of the family may be unaffordable to another member of the family.
This author found himself in precisely that predicament, but he was overly concerned about his sister’s ability to attend the event. Therefore, in an effort to take matters into his own hands, he decided to foot the bill for his sister’s vacation to Disneyland. I have no doubt that the recollection of a wonderful trip was wonderful, but I have no doubt that the knowledge that she is so loved by her brother was even better.
#15: This One Is Strictly for the Birds
Living in a nursing home must come with its share of challenges. You are no longer in your own home, you are limited in the places you can go and the activities you can engage in, and you are required to adhere to the schedule of another individual. I believe that any little thing done to make such people happy is very worthwhile.
That being said, I believe this individual should insist on the nursing home pay for the birdseed. Those people pay a lot of money to live there; surely, the nursing home could pay for some birdseed to keep them happy. I believe this person is a saint because they pay for it themselves.
#16: Ticket Fraud
It can be difficult to be in a friendship where there is a financial disparity—one of you wants to go out and do fun things, but the other cannot afford to join you. This means that one party cannot attend certain events, and the other must attend those events alone, which is not fun for either of them!
But this person devised a solution: buy two tickets and pretend you found the other one by chance. After all, with radio contests and giveaways at work and other such things, someone winning free tickets to fun events wouldn’t be so out of the ordinary. And now both of them can enjoy the event!
#17: Stop if you’ve heard this one before.
This one will really hit home if you know someone who has dementia or other memory issues. They may tell you the same story, ask you the same question, or make the same comment repeatedly, and the kind thing to do is to let them do it rather than embarrass them by drawing attention to the fact that they and Grandpa won a limbo contest on a cruise ship.
Besides, I figure I’m not in a position to pass judgment: I tell people the same story over and over, not because I have dementia, but because I have a terrible memory. So I can’t help but think less of Grandma if she does the same.
#18: A Delightful Anniversary Present
A lady I once knew told us that she had saved all of her husband’s ticket stubs and other mementos when they first started dating. We were astounded and asked her how she knew she’d marry him someday. That’s when she admitted she didn’t and that she had similar collections from all of her previous boyfriends as well.
The guy in this story did a little better than she did: after their first date, he had a feeling that things were going to go really well with this woman, and he was right! When she sees this surprise that has been in the works for thirteen years, she will be overjoyed. Can you imagine her surprise?
#19: Sibling Love
Siblings are an interesting type of relationship: when you’re younger, there’s no one closer because you live in the same house, eat the same meals, and take the same vacations. However, once you leave the house, you must actively decide that you will make an effort to see them, or the relationship will fizzle.
Fortunately, this poster made the decision to continue seeing her younger brother every week. The brother believes that his sister simply enjoys having a movie companion, but she is really just trying to be close to her brother. That’s really cute.
#20: What is the inverse of a grumpy loser?
This next author is far nicer than I am. I’ll gladly let small children win games; they’re small children, and I’m an adult, and surely their happiness is more important than the pride I’d get from annihilating a 7-year-old at Boggle. But for an adult, I would tell them to suck it up; they need to learn that life doesn’t always go as planned, and they’re certainly old enough to deal with it.
So perhaps that’s why this person is happily married, and I’m not. I suppose it could be one of the reasons. To keep her husband happy, she is willing to let him beat her at games. That’s really cool. Although I stand by my statement that adults are mature enough to deal with loss.
#21: Postal Gifts
Being a postal worker or a delivery driver is not a job for everyone. Some people may enjoy the physical exertion and solitude, but I believe that many people would find it difficult to drive from place to place, all alone, and schlep packages around for people who never thank you or even speak to you face to face.
So I love the idea of spreading Christmas cheer by giving a small Christmas treat to your mail and package deliverers. After all, Christmas is probably their busiest time of year, with people sending gifts and ordering Amazon packages, so if there’s any time of year when delivery people deserve a special thank you, it’s this one.
#22: Laptop Addiction
If you have to rely on charity and gifts, it’s wonderful when people are willing to give you things, but I bet you have to learn to be content with old, outdated, used, and worn items most of the time. Of course, they’re better than nothing. But nonetheless.
In this case, the person decided to give a nicer laptop than he’d originally indicated and to keep it hidden, so the person didn’t realize what a sacrifice they’d made. Of course, the fact that he refers to this person as “someone I used to be friends with” makes it even more tragic. But nonetheless.
#23: Positive Aspects of Social Networking Sites
Facebook has a terrible reputation right now, and much of it is justified. There’s a lot of bad stuff in the world of Facebook, from the spread of false information to Russian bots to your cousin posting way too many pictures of her kids. However, Facebook can be put to good use if you put in the effort.
That’s what this person did; they took advantage of Facebook’s massive user base to organize a space where people could say nice things about one another. I really admire how, despite his admission of helplessness at the time, he made ingenious use of what he had. In doing so, it serves as a timely reminder that each of us possesses the potential to act similarly.
#24: What Kind of Boy Are You?
Alright, I need some clarification on this next one: can dogs hear well? Could they hear a whisper in a crowded place? I mean, obviously, it doesn’t matter in this case because even if they did, it’s not like they speak English. To be completely honest, I don’t know enough about dogs to say for sure.
But if they could hear a whisper in a crowded place and speak English, I’m sure they’d be overjoyed to learn that this person thinks that they are good dogs. They’d be even more ecstatic to learn that she loves dogs so much that she’d assume all of them are good and tell them so before even meeting them.
#25: Father’s Day Wishes #25:
OK, so I can’t say for sure that I know the secret to the next story (maybe that this guy wants to be a dad so badly? ), but it’s so virtuous that we couldn’t leave it out. This man may not have had any children of his own, but he has played a pivotal paternal role in the lives of countless others.
Many students find the transition to college life challenging because it represents their first experience living away from home. They are not accustomed to living far from their loved ones, especially their parents, who are the ones who typically provide us with the most important lessons in life, the most consistent source of emotional support, and the greatest source of inspiration. It’s touching that he’s willing to fill that role for people whose families live too far away to visit regularly. Perhaps he is not their biological fathers, but he comes awfully close.
#26: Celebrating Life and Remembering Death
Do you ever find it intriguing that people create such a big deal out of graveyards? Even if you don’t believe in an afterlife or see the human body as anything more than a collection of meaningless molecules after death, having a physical location where your loved one’s body is interred and where you can pay your respects is likely to hold meaning and significance for you.
It would be very challenging if you were unable to physically visit your loved one because of age or health. The fact that the graves in the churchyard are being cared for must mean a great deal to the people of this town.
#27: Financial Support
Getting a college degree is a great investment that will (hopefully) pay off huge dividends later in life. (I’ll throw in a plug for vocational training as an alternative to higher education for those who don’t thrive in a traditional university setting.)
However, many people incur substantial debt in order to finance their college education, especially if they have their sights set on an elite institution. My standard advice would be to attend a less expensive institution, but luckily for this girl, that’s not an option. She will soon learn that her sister has paid for her entire college education. What a beautiful expression of sibling love.
#28: The Best of All Possible Worlds
So far, we’ve discussed a wide variety of strategies for coercing someone who is awkward about accepting charity from others into giving you something they otherwise would refuse. The man here isn’t in dire straits, but rather, it’s his birthday, and celebrations of this sort are customarily lavish.
One way to cover the bill is to convince the eatery to treat him to a free meal. He’s satisfied, and the eatery has gained a lifelong patron. I just really don’t want the word to get out and have other people think they can expect a free meal at the restaurant on their birthdays as well.
#29: The Ultimate Companion
Dating can be challenging for anyone at any time. You may be sitting there trying to determine whether or not this person likes you enough not to laugh in your face if you ask them out on a date, but if they do like you, they may be hiding it for the same reasons you are.
The best solution is to find a wingman who can introduce you to your crush so that you can avoid having to make as many of the bold, courageous moves. I think it’s great that he managed to keep their happiness a secret from the two of them for so long. He could almost be taken for the real Hitch.
#30: The Claw
The ensuing incident almost certainly would have ended in disaster. You must have used one of those claw machines at some point, right? That they are so difficult to win at is intentional; the company won’t make any money if players consistently walk away with valuable prizes for their quarters.
This story could have easily devolved into the protagonist losing at the claw machine in front of two young girls, causing them to break down in tears. He was able to make their day and appear to be the coolest claw machine expert ever because luck (or good karma) was on his side.
#31: Reasonable Hunting
It’s not a good idea to follow a person around Instagram or do anything else that could be construed as stalking. Is it still considered stalking if your intention is merely to ascertain that they are content? Maybe. However, this is a relatively harmless form of stalking.
I’m sure the people who received his letters appreciated hearing that they were thought of favorably by a stranger. I’m sure that even ten dollars would have made their day. Ten dollars was a lot of money when I was in middle school.
#32: Giver of Gifts
Compared to me, my sister is an excellent shopper for the holidays. She not only buys gifts early to avoid last-minute stress, but she also usually finds various great deals. Given that I usually end up scrambling to buy Christmas presents in the middle of December, this is truly remarkable.
Like this person, she spends all year contemplating what would make good gifts for her loved ones and making purchases in advance so that December 25th doesn’t feel like a last-minute scramble to figure out what Amazon can deliver in time. A better gift-giving strategy is essential for me.
#33: High School Is Nothing More Than a Popularity Contest
Thank goodness there wasn’t a “buy someone a gift and have it delivered during class on Valentine’s Day” program at my school. It’s bad enough to find out if people like you through the delivery of quiet greeting cards; it must be even worse when classes are disrupted to draw attention to who’s popular and who’s not.
It doesn’t seem fair, but as one character in the fantastic movie Sky High puts it, “If life were to suddenly get fair, I doubt it would happen in high school.” Someone, at least, the thought of a way to make sure everyone who would suffer the most from the exclusionary effects of this school tradition still had a wonderful day and a nice confidence boost.
#34: Every Bit Counts
The following is a touching account of a young woman’s selfless act of finding an anonymous way to support her financially struggling aunt. It’s possible the author doesn’t think $50 is a big deal, but I have no doubt that it means a lot to her aunt.
Her annoyance that her teenage cousins don’t chip in to help the family out of financial straits puzzles me, but then again, maybe they’re 19 and not 13. Until their mother establishes limits and standards, they will continue to refuse to pitch in. It’s great that the niece can pitch in until then.
#35: Acts of Charity
The pandemic affected everyone negatively; many companies, especially small ones, run on such a slim profit margin that any unexpected expense can put them into an immediate financial crisis. It would be a terrible loss for the owners and employees alike if those businesses went under.
But instead of waiting for the government to help, this guy did something about it himself. He made up his mind to use his fortune to rescue a number of failing establishments in the area. That probably meant a lot to those businesses and their employees.
#36: Fortune Favors
Numerous societies all over the world accord a positive connotation to the appearance of a clover with four leaves. Both the biblical Adam and Eve and the Celtic societies of the middle ages have been associated with it at various times. You probably believe that four-leaf clovers bring good luck, regardless of whether you subscribe to the classic or the contemporary account of their genesis.
To cheer up her boyfriend and give him more self-assurance when he was feeling blue, she fabricated a four-leaf clover for him and pretended that he had found it by accident. His outlook brightened, and he began to experience feelings of extreme good fortune. Because his girlfriend is so wonderful and always knows how to make him laugh, he can count himself among the luckiest guys in the neighborhood.
#37: This Is Quite a Surprise!
Some people will never enjoy a surprise party, while others will go out of their way to avoid attending one, no matter what the motivation behind throwing it may be. It is my opinion that throwing someone, a surprise party is a thoughtful and considerate way to show them that you care by surprising them with something that they aren’t expecting. I say this because it is my opinion that throwing someone a surprise party is one of the most fun things to do.
The problem with throwing a surprise birthday party is that it is typically very challenging to maintain the element of surprise! Someone has a hunch that something fishy is going on, and in this particular case, the girl has completely blown her boyfriend’s cover by telling others about their relationship. However, she did not reveal the information to him because she did not want to spoil the surprise for him. She is a very good actress if he has no idea that she was aware of what was going on.
#38: Taking His Time
It took him an embarrassingly long time to finally pop the question to his girlfriend. It’s understandable that he waited for the right moment, but it’s completely incomprehensible that he planned a proposal and then carried the ring around in his pocket for four years before finally popping the question. When, exactly, did he show up?!
The fact that she has remained silent about the ring despite having knowledge of it for the past four years is remarkable in and of itself. For some young ladies, it would be physically impossible to contain all of that excitement. It would appear that they make an excellent pair and are a very nice couple. Even though it took him quite some time to finally pop the question, we couldn’t be happier that they’ve finally tied the knot.
#39: Trying to eke out every last penny
This heartwarming story demonstrates that even the smallest acts of kindness can impact the recipient. This person’s uncle had a meaningful habit of picking up pennies, which may seem like a trivial thing to do, but it had a profound impact on his family. This person’s uncle picked up pennies. After he passed away, his wife began to view his pennies in a new light. She began to see them as messages from him that he was still with her, even though he was no longer physically present.
The storyteller’s thoughtful act of leaving pennies for his aunt to find was a moving way to honor the memory of her late husband. As a result, it serves as a timely reminder that even the smallest of gestures can affect the lives of those we hold dearest to our hearts.
#40: He Deserves It In Every Way
The uprising depicted in this quick story is not nearly as inconsequential as it may at first appear. When the narrator was younger, twisting quarter machines was a fun activity for them to do. Now, however, they twist quarter machines in order to leave a small gift for the person who uses the machine after them.
This kind act serves as a timely reminder that even the smallest of deeds can brighten the day of another person who is in need. Thank you so much for your generosity. The tale serves as a gentle reminder to take a break from our hectic lives and make the happiness of others a priority.
#41: Excellent Surprise
This story illustrates the reality that even acts of malice can have their roots in acts of generosity and gratitude. It is both hilarious and endearing that the narrator has planned to take their science-obsessed roommate on a surprise trip to CERN. The narrator has obviously put a lot of effort into planning this surprise for their friend, as evidenced by the fact that they stole their friend’s passport and carefully packed their bags.
The accomplishment in and of itself may be worthy of praise, but what truly shines is the reason behind it. The fact that the narrator wants to make amends with their friend demonstrates how much seemingly inconsequential acts of kindness can mean to the people in our lives and the world around us. The payoff in terms of happiness and adrenaline can make taking a chance worthwhile, despite the fact that harm could be caused by it. When it came to picking a roommate, this individual literally hit the proverbial jackpot.
#42: Day of the Week for Your Birthday
That is without a doubt the most creative and entertaining present I have ever been given for my birthday! The expression on their mother’s face when she receives the free drinks on her birthday is priceless, thanks to this raconteur, who is a master at getting free drinks for their mother on her birthday. This prankster has made their mother feel like a celebrity on her special day by giving money to random people so that they can buy two shots with it.
What’s even better? Hearing her talk about it with anyone who is willing to listen to her! It is not very often that complete strangers will buy you drinks, so it is easy to see why this mother feels pampered by the experience. Demonstrating once more that a small amount of creativity combined with some good old-fashioned bribery can go a very long way toward making someone else’s day. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that this continues to be an annual event for a very long time!
#43: Cats
The following anecdote demonstrates how pets have the ability to bring out the best in their owners, even if it means acting a little bit mischievously themselves. The cat that the narrator and her husband have had for the past 18 years has won the heart of the narrator’s husband. This story’s endearing quality comes from the cunning plan that the narrator devised in order to make their husband happy.
The narrator purposefully makes the cat irritable so that their husband can spend some quality time with the pet they share as a couple. It’s a funny and touching gesture of affection and appreciation. This is further proof that the tiniest acts of kindness can deepen the bonds we share with others, whether they be human or animal. It’s my hope that this wonderful couple and their cat will have many more years of happiness together.
#44: Never Expressing Gratitude
It’s OK to reach out for assistance; those who care about you will jump at the chance to lend a hand. This author has hit upon an ingenious method of expressing gratitude to those who have helped them throughout their life. They sneak $20 bills into their parents’ and boyfriends’ wallets as a way of saying “thanks” for all the times they’ve paid their bills and bailed them out of jams.
It’s a lovely act that reveals how much the narrator appreciates the kindness of those around them. This moving anecdote shows how even the smallest acts of generosity can change a person’s life forever. So here’s to celebrating the people we care about and the little ways we can make their day better.
#45: A Trip to Istanbul
Up until now, we’ve heard tales of people keeping good secrets from their loved ones. One of this person’s coworkers is the beneficiary of a good secret they’ve been hiding. The teller of this tale won a trip to Istanbul in a lottery. When they overheard a coworker expressing disappointment at not being chosen for the trip, they decided to give the slot to her.
The trip to Istanbul to see her long-lost relative was a life-changing experience for the coworker. Her life was changed forever because the narrator took the time to make her wish come true. It’s a lovely demonstration of how even the smallest acts of kindness can change someone’s life for the better. It’s about time!
#46: Which French Word Means “Aww”?
The ability to learn a new language is remarkable at any age. There are many situations in which knowing a second or third language would be useful, and learning a new language broadens one’s exposure to different cultures and the possibilities they present. We don’t know the backstory, but whatever it is, it sounds like a win-win.
There may be good reasons why the narrator doesn’t want their father to know. Perhaps they enjoy being taken by surprise. Perhaps their father enjoys surprising his kids. This can be a genetic trait, and they are both affected. Whatever the case may be, I’d love to have a glimpse of their father’s expression when his children suddenly begin speaking French like natives.
#47: It’s true. I’ll always be there for you.
We all need a helping hand from time to time because life has a way of throwing us curveballs. What do you do, though, if your aunt can’t afford her apartment? The role of the clever storyteller is to step up and cover her rent while simultaneously giving her the impression that she had already covered it earlier in the month.
It’s a graceful way to keep her from worrying about falling behind on rent. What’s even better? Auntie was so appreciative that she grilled steaks for dinner and made sure to catch up on all of the other bills. Not everyone can say they don’t enjoy a juicy steak every once in a while. Is that so?
#48:Been There, Done That
We must all learn to cope with our own unique set of fears and doubts. This person has overcome significant amounts of insecurity over the course of his life. In order to break his habit of ignoring the “less attractive” women he passes on the street, our protagonist has taken to smiling and making eye contact with all of them. It’s not a huge show of support, but for someone struggling with low confidence, it could mean the world.
The narrator has first-hand experience with this because she was on the receiving end of similar actions during her time in high school. Our narrator was motivated to improve themselves through the encouragement they received from the popular girls at school. It’s a touching illustration of how the simplest acts of kindness can have a profound effect on the lives of those who receive them. It’s a reminder that we should all treat each other with compassion and try to understand the people behind the facades we present.
#49:To Follow Vehicles
This is a heartwarming tale that exemplifies the transformative potential of gratitude and the satisfaction gained from helping others. The narrator’s father is a huge car buff who has always wanted to visit Cuba to see the country’s legendary vintage automobiles. He has been a doting and selfless father, laying down his life for the narrator so that they may have a good education and a secure future.
Now that he’s about to graduate and has a job lined up, he can finally make up for all the help he’s received over the years. They’re taking him and their mother on a trip of a lifetime to Cuba so he can indulge his passion for classic automobiles. This is a fantastic way for them to express their gratitude for all he has done. This tale serves as a gentle reminder that the most priceless presents aren’t always physical ones but rather opportunities to share in each other’s company and create cherished memories to last a lifetime.
#50: Those Who Prefer Cats to People
The next tale sounds like it’s headed in a very dark direction. If someone said they might be the reason that stray cats keep disappearing around their neighborhood, how would you react?
Wow, that’s awesome that she’s rescuing so many cats from the streets and finding them loving homes with people who will pet them and try to make them wear funny hats so they can be photographed for Instagram. It appears to have a happy ending.
#51:Rehashed Narrative
Even though I don’t have children of my own, this is a problem I frequently have: repeating a story I’ve already told. OK, so it’s not easy. Given the volume of my social interactions, it is highly unlikely that I can recall every detail of every conversation I have ever had with every person I have ever met.
Thus, it is greatly appreciated when others are as understanding and patient with my incessant babbling about the same old things as the son in this story is with his father. To bring joy to the heart of someone you care about requires so little effort.
