If there’s anything that the world needs right now — it’s more love and kindness. A story that has been making its rounds on the internet is the exact type of love and kindness we’re talking about. A story to hopefully make you stop and reflect.
One ordinary afternoon, a high school freshman considered to be a stereotypical ‘jock,’ was walking home from school. He saw a new kid from his class walking home too — he was carrying every single one of his textbooks.
The jock thought to himself, “wow, this kid must be a real nerd if he’s bringing all of his books home on a Friday.”
Not giving his classmate much thought, the freshman continued his walk home. He was excited for his own weekend — filled with parties and a football game. High school really couldn’t get better so far.
As the freshman athlete kept walking, he noticed a group of kids running straight toward the boy with the books. They ran right into him.
Knocking him over — his books went flying and his glasses landed 10 feet away on the grass.
The kids ran off and the boy had the saddest, most defeated look in his eyes. The popular freshman couldn’t just let him sit there — he went to help him up and pick up his books.
Handing him his glasses back, the jock told him some reassuring words…
“Those guys are jerks, they should really get lives.”
A smile spread across his face with sheer gratitude. It turns out that his name was Kyle and he had just started the new school after being in private school.
The athlete walked with Kyle all the way home, helping him carry his books. We ended up playing football and hanging out all weekend. He was a pretty cool kid.
Monday morning came around, and the popular teen spotted Kyle walking toward school with his stack of books. He joked with him saying how he was going to build up some serious muscle carrying all of those books.
The two ended up becoming great friends over the next 4 years of high school, and it was an emotional day on graduation. Kyle was headed to Georgetown and the athlete was headed to Duke. But they knew they’d always be friends.
Kyle gave an emotional speech at graduation:
“Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach … but mostly your friends. I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story.”
Kyle ended up telling the audience something his best friend hadn’t even known; he had planned to kill himself the weekend they met.
He continues to explain that if it wasn’t for his friend’s kindness that day — things could have been so much different. In fact, he had cleaned out his locker that day so his mom wouldn’t have to do it.
That’s why he was carrying all those books that day.
It’s so important to never underestimate the power of love and acts of kindness. Spread it every chance you can get!
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(h/t): Inspire More
