Off The Record

15 Kind Tales That Show How Gratitude Can Go A Long Way

Published on September 1, 2024

The good forces are not limited to stories from fairy tales. Occasionally, regular people adopt the persona of a kind fairy and, through words or deeds, work miracles in the lives of strangers. These online users posted such anecdotes.

Original stories are rewritten for uniqueness…

1.

I was working at a fast-food restaurant one day when this woman left her Louis Vuitton bag on a table. After waiting for roughly twenty minutes, I realized that I had seen her go, so I picked it up and placed it in the lost and found. I never took a peek inside.

A month elapsed. “Hey, it’s been a month…do you want that bag?” my supervisor asked. Sure, I replied, and I went to get it in the rear. To my astonishment, when I unsnapped the lid, all that was inside was a sheet of paper. When I unfolded the piece of paper, I saw that it was the bag’s receipt.

“To the girl who needed a new purse during the holidays” was written on the receipt. whoever this woman was originally intended to be doing this for. I noticed the receipt and thought, $1700 for this bag? I carried it home, carefully placed my belongings inside, and kept quiet about it.

I looked fantastic in a lot of job interviews thanks to that purse. I still have the bag because it brings back memories of my humble beginnings and serves as a reminder to me to help others. Katelyn Guzman / Quora

2.

When I got married a long time ago, we didn’t have much money and were living paycheck to paycheck. I was working a part-time job and my wife was expecting our first child. A few days before payday, I went to the store to make sure we only bought what we absolutely needed. A little bread. A little dishwashing soap. Mayonnaise jar, I believe. Everything was roughly ten dollars worth.

I swiped my debit card at the register, praying it would work. “Declined,” the cashier deadpanned. Give it another go. A line gathered behind me as I swiped with the updated total after asking her to return an item. Now agitated, the cashier “Declined again.” I was mortified when the card was approved for that meager loaf of bread, even though I hung my head the last time I swiped.

I snuck out to my car after taking my receipt, feeling like a failure as a provider and completely humiliated. I wanted to disappear. I heard the little girl’s voice almost at the car—the girl who was in line just behind me with her mother. “Mister! Mister!”

She stretched out to give me a plastic grocery bag when I turned around. The things I asked the clerk to put back were inside. “It’s alright, we got you this.” I whispered a “thank you,” went to my car, laid my head on the steering wheel, and sobbed like a little child, surprised, shocked, and truly humbled. Feeling embarrassed, appreciative, and disappointed in myself for being the “breadwinner” and not being able to provide for the necessities.

Even though it has been almost 25 years, I can still clearly recall that little girl and her mother, and I still cry when I consider how much even a seemingly insignificant gesture can mean to someone in need. Since then, I’ve offered assistance to others wherever we could (yes, even in grocery queues). akambe / Reddit

3.

It was going to be incredibly hot in New York when I went there with my family when I was sixteen. I didn’t know I should wear warm clothing, especially on lengthy flights, because I hadn’t taken many flights. I neglected to take my sweater out of my checked luggage, so I wore shorts and a T-shirt instead.

I was attempting to sleep, but it was a night flight, and I was chilly. No attendant ever stopped by, and I had no idea that I could request a blanket. I was freezing and doing my best to sleep close to an older foreign tourist couple, away from my family. After a few hours, I woke up and saw that I was no longer as cold. When I awoke, I discovered that beautiful hand-knitted shawl was encircling my shoulders.

The woman sitting next to me must have noticed the puzzled expression on my face because she points to the shawl and adds, “You shake in sleep, I have this,” in broken English. She pointed to her husband, who had begun to stir, and said, “Go to sleep, he’s sleeping,” when I expressed my sincere gratitude. As we were stepping off the plane, I thanked her a million times over and fell back asleep for the remainder of the journey. What a beautiful gal. scratpac4774 / Reddit

4.

I was used to receiving a lot of nasty looks and remarks about having a baby so early and out of wedlock when I was a very young pregnant woman living in the South, but one very old lady approached me, offered me $20, and said, “Hey honey, here’s to help with diapers, they get pretty expensive.” I wish you the best of luck. I will never forget the act of kindness that occurred there. coddiwomplek / Reddit

5.

I was in a bit of a funk when it came to chatting to ladies my first year of college. That’s what I suppose occurs when you go from a tiny high school to a large university. However, I wasn’t as shy as usual. I saw a girl at a party, and even though I’m shy, I worked up the nerve to approach her.

I felt quite embarrassed as a result. Though I can’t quite remember what happened, I think she said something like, “Try somewhere else, 3’s shouldn’t talk to 10’s,” when I said hello. I also recall her stating it quite loudly, to which a few males in the vicinity gave a loud chuckle before yelling that I had been rejected. I felt like I was being followed as I fled to a different room.

When I turn around, I see the most stunning woman I have ever laid eyes on in my four years of college. She continued by telling me that I should just brush it off since the girl I spoke to and her friends have been engaging in a game where they approach guys, ask them out, and then turn them down. She said I could be her “boyfriend” if I stayed with her for the remainder of the evening. I had just finished my first semester, and she was a senior set to graduate. But in actuality, that one act of compassion restored my confidence, and I let go of the newly established timidity.

After that, I ran into her a few times on campus, and each time, she would run up to me and give me a bear hug. Even without her, it would be an amazing experience for anyone to do that! Throughout my stay in college, she even messaged me to check on me. chuck_cascio / Reddit

6.

I’m a student who works as a waitress at night and studies throughout the day. I moved three months ago from another town, and I still don’t have any pals. In addition, my teeth broke yesterday. It hurt so bad it was intolerable. I was unable to pay for a dentist.

I physically explode with pain with any sudden movement or loud sound while working a shift. The other servers on the shift then approach me and give me an envelope containing all of our shift tips. They gave you the go-ahead, sweetie! Get your teeth treated first thing in the morning. I sobbed from this generosity. Ward 6 / VK

7.

I was given a pink rose at random by an unknown person. He was an elderly man, and it brightened my day, week, and month that he simply handed it to me with a smile on his face without saying anything. Since then, I haven’t seen him at all. Unknown author / Reddit

8.

During my summer break from college, I worked as a housekeeper for a Comfort Inn, which turned out to be an extremely physically demanding job, when I was going through severe despair and sadness. I believe that working by myself for the most of the day while doing physical labor over the summer allowed me to process some difficult feelings.

In any case, one day I was filthy and fatigued from finishing a room in the oppressive heat, sweating profusely (the halls were not air conditioned). As I was putting the trash on my cart, two stunning men with wide smiles, well-groomed, dark, smooth skin, and bright eyes stopped and sang me a lovely acapella song. Their voices had an incredible texture and resonance that echoed down the long, empty hallway.

It transpired that they were vocalists en route to a gig. That was an experience I will never forget. Even though it was over a decade ago, I can still clearly recall how good it felt to have someone understand how much beauty and kindness can do to uplift someone. Manic_Sloth / Reddit

9.

My son was a baby when my first wife left us. It was difficult, but I made it.

I was having supper with several friends one evening. There was no table in the men’s room, so I had to change the baby. I asked a woman who was exiting the women’s restroom whether it was empty, and she confirmed and gave me the go-ahead. She approached and offered to change him while I was attempting to arrange my diaper bag.

She threw her arm over me and insisted, even though I informed her I had it. She saw right through my apparent collapse, which I had been suppressing the entire time. I sobbed for a minute while a complete stranger changed my baby boy, showered her with gratitude, and returned to supper with my friends, all while putting a bit less burden on my shoulders. I have no idea who she was, but that night, she was like an angel to me. PrintError / Reddit

10.

My grandmother had an antique sugar creamer set that I adored. My grandma was still using hers, but when I got married, I wanted one of my own. I so began my quest to find a collection that was comparable. It seems that specific plastic set was either not well-liked or not many survived due to its extreme rarity.

I couldn’t even locate an image of what I was looking for, so I finally just posted a description of what I was looking for on an antiquing forum. A lady answered with a picture of the set she had. I told her why I wanted it and asked if she would sell it. In response, she said she would think about selling it, so I emailed her my address and requested a return address or a payment link.

I didn’t hear back, but a few weeks later, I received the set in the mail (without a return address) along with a kind note wishing me well in my upcoming marriage and house, and hoping that I would treasure the set she had brought me. I had no idea who this total stranger was or even where they lived, yet they sent me this amazing present. I’ve been using that same set for 13 years, and I really do treasure it! WifeofTech / Reddit

11.

A few hours before my wedding, I was in an elevator, all dolled up. “Are you the groom?” asked a man who entered the elevator and turned to face me. Indeed, I answered. “You look calm, that means you’re doing the right thing,” he said after that.

That’s precisely what I needed to hear to begin the most amazing day of my life. I’m grateful, elevator man. TaliasMithevallir / Reddit

12.

Almost all of my old friends from middle school dropped me in favor of popularity during my first year of high school. I assume I was “too dumb” or “unattractive” to hang out with them, so I turned into a loner. I was generally unathletic and quite out of shape, so I always fell behind in PE class and knew that people made fun of me.

I was running one day during our warm-ups when one of the more popular athletic girls made a point of telling me she liked my clothing, to which all of her friends gave her a strange look. We’ve been friends ever since I messaged her on Instagram after that to let her know how much it meant. Even though I know it’s not really a huge issue, that meant a lot to me, and I will always remember it. It showed me how much even a small act of kindness can change someone’s life. riskykreme / Reddit

13.

One of the cars struck our dog. A couple did not hit her, but they saw her get hit. In an attempt to save her, they pursued her. They looked all over the woods but were unable to locate her.

When a stranger saw these folks, they inquired as to what they were searching for. The man offered his hunting dog to follow the woman’s scent after explaining that they were searching for an injured dog. The dog ultimately guided this stranger-filled bunch to our dog. After calling, they dressed her, and we met at the closest veterinary emergency department.

“I know you are young, and I know what it’s like to be young, we can help pay for this,” the pair remarked to us once they had recovered from their horror at seeing our dog with a fractured jaw and protruding eye. The entire ordeal restored our faith in humanity. After nearly a year, our puppy is still alive and well, but only because of the unwavering generosity of strangers. turnipsedith / Reddit

14.

I was having a terrible time at my new work as a server, and one shift nobody had thought to inform me that the seating arrangement had altered due to a change in table numbers. After serving food to the incorrect tables and growing irate that no one seemed to be paying attention, my manager abruptly walked out, took the plates away from me, and yelled at me to return to the kitchen and actually do some work.

As my manager started to storm out, I was furious and embarrassed because it was in front of a crowded restaurant/tearoom. An elderly woman rose up and informed the manager that she was a piece of work and that she should stand by her opinions. Then she approached me, gave me a good Nana hug, and complimented me on my work. I might have started crying. Curious-Resource-962 / Reddit

15.

My mother, who had Alzheimer’s, lived with me. Before we could leave the dentist’s office, we had to wait for our turn to pay. She heard another woman remark that she was unable to pay the price they had given for the necessary item. “Do I have money?” my mother, may God rest her soul, questioned me. She said, “Okay, I want to pay for that ladies’ dental bill,” when I said that she could.

I hadn’t heard the exchange, so I didn’t know who she was referring to. The young woman working at the counter realized what my mom was talking about, so she stated, “Her bill will be $275,” even though the woman had left to use the restroom. With no hesitation, my mother said, “Do I have enough money?” She paid the bill after I said “yes.” We exited the bathroom before she arrived. My mother was overjoyed. 3b1gplusgrb / Reddit

One extra:

I had my son when I was 17. His father and I broke up, and I was left on my own because my parents did not support me. Things were also tough, and I ran out of food at one point.

I did not know what to do, so I took my 1-year-old son and went to my friends to take some money. They did not give me money, though. I was walking around crying because I did not know what to do. A car pulled up and the driver said, “Get in, I will take you somewhere.”

At first, I was not sure, but it was raining, so I gave up. I told him my story with tears in my eyes. He looked at me and gave me $100 all of a sudden. I got a job and paid for daycare. We did not become millionaires, but I will always be thankful to that man. Also, my son is 30 years old now. ©Anna Safonova/ADME

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