Life
Kindness comes full circle after a man pulls over to help an old woman with her car
Everyone should watch this.
Jessica
10.28.20

We’ve all heard the phrase “pay it forward.”

Kindness tends to be repaid – but even when it’s not, you can rest easy in the knowledge that you helped make the world a better place.

Whether it’s time or money, when you give of yourself, you not only feel good, but the recipient benefits and even bystanders can be positively influenced.

Below, you’ll find a video and text of a fictional story about how a woman in need was shown great kindness from a stranger who wanted nothing in return. But in the end, the kindness she paid forward touched even more lives – the stranger’s included.

Follow along with the story text below.

***

A flat tire and a kind stranger

A man saw an old lady stranded on the side of the road who clearly needed help. With his old car squeaking and whining loudly, a man pulled up in front of her Mercedes to help out.

YouTube Screenshot - Shareably
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - Shareably

The old lady was understandably afraid as the stranger approached her car. Would he hurt her? Even with the warm smile on the man’s face, she thought he looked poor and hungry.

YouTube Screenshot - Shareably
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - Shareably

He could tell she was scared, standing out in the cold, so he called out, “I’m here to help you, ma’am. Why don’t you wait in the car where it’s warm? By the way, my name is Bryan Anderson.”

It was a flat tire, but, for an old lady, that was bad enough.

Bryan crawled under the car, scraping himself a few times, but was able to replace the tire easily enough.

YouTube Screenshot - Shareably
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - Shareably

There’s no cost for kindness

As he was finishing up, the old lady rolled down her window and started talking to him. She was from St. Louis and was passing through. She couldn’t thank him enough for helping her.

Thinking about all the terrible potential outcomes, she asked how much she owed him – any amount would have been fine.

Bryan just smiled as he closed her trunk. He never considered payment at all. Many people showed him generosity and kindness in the past. He lived his whole life this way and never thought otherwise.

Bryan said, “If you really want to pay me back, the next time you’re able to help someone, do so, and think of me.”

YouTube Screenshot - Shareably
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - Shareably

He waited until she started her car and drove off. That day was cold and depressing, but he felt warmth as he drove home into the night.

Paying it forward

A few miles down the road, the old lady stopped at a small, run-down cafe to eat and take a break before the last part of her trip.

The waitress walked over and the old lady noticed her sweet smile, one that even being on her feet all day didn’t erase. She also saw the waitress was pregnant, though the certain exhaustion didn’t dampen her attitude.

YouTube Screenshot - Shareably
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - Shareably

As the old lady wondered how someone could be so resilient and kind, she remembered Bryan. The old lady finished her meal and paid with a hundred dollar bill.

Before the waitress could hurry back with change, the lady had disappeared.

The waitress noticed writing on a napkin.

Tears came to her eyes as she read the note, reading, “Here is a gift. I have been there too and someone showed me kindness then. I only ask you do not let this chain of love end with you.”

Under the napkin were four more hundred dollar bills.

YouTube Screenshot - Shareably
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - Shareably

The waitress was able to make it through another night because of this act of kindness.

When she got home that night and climbed into bed, she wondered if the old lady knew just how desperately in need she and her husband were. The baby was due next month and they were hanging by a thread.

Kindness comes full circle

Her husband was asleep next to her – she knew how worried he was.

Lightly, she gave him a kiss and whispered softly, “Everything’s going to be alright. I love you, Bryan Anderson.”

YouTube Screenshot - Shareably
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - Shareably

***

You see, when you put kindness out into the world and you meet other people with generosity, good things tend to come back around to you. And in the end, everyone is rewarded.

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

Article Sources:
To learn more read our Editorial Standards.
Advertisement