Daily writing prompt

Write about a random act of kindness you’ve done for someone.

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The Ripple of Kindness

Hello dear friends,

I hope this blog finds you in a cheerful mood. Today’s writing prompt brought a warm smile to my face. The question—“Write about a random act of kindness you’ve done for someone”—is simple yet profound.

It made me pause, reflect, and revisit a beautiful moment that still lingers in my memory like a fragrant breeze on a quiet evening.

We often think that kindness needs to be grand to be meaningful. But I’ve come to believe that even the smallest gesture, offered with a genuine heart, can carry immeasurable value.

And today, I wish to share a personal story—not to seek appreciation, but to reaffirm the power of kindness and how a single act can quietly change someone’s life.

The Unexpected Encounter

A few years ago, on a winter morning in Kolkata, I was on my way to a nearby vegetable market. The air was crisp, and the streets were slowly filling with vendors setting up their stalls.

As I walked along the pavement, I noticed an elderly man sitting near a tea stall. His clothes were worn, his face tired but gentle, and he was barefoot despite the chill.

He was not begging, nor did he look helpless. He was simply… waiting.

Moved by an inexplicable urge, I bought two cups of hot tea from the stall and offered one to him. His eyes lit up with surprise.

He accepted it with both hands and said softly, “Dua dunga aapko” (I will bless you). We sat on the pavement, sipping our tea in silence. I learned that his name was Bhola Babu, once a bookbinder who had lost his family in an accident and now lived in a nearby shelter.

After our brief chat, I handed him a small packet of snacks and placed a warm woollen scarf I had just purchased around his shoulders.

He resisted at first but then nodded, his eyes moist. “Aaj bahut dinon baad laga ki koi apna mila,” he whispered. (“After a long time, I felt someone of my own.”)

The Lasting Connection

It didn’t end there. For weeks after, I made it a point to meet Bhola Babu every few days. Sometimes we had tea, sometimes I’d bring a fruit or blanket, and sometimes we just talked. He began calling me “Beta” (son), and our bond grew stronger.

One day, I went to the spot and he wasn’t there. Days passed. I eventually learned from another tea vendor that Bhola Babu had passed away peacefully in his sleep.

I was heartbroken. But I was also at peace—because I knew that, in the last chapter of his life, he felt seen, heard, and cared for. And for me, that is the essence of kindness.

Why Kindness Matters

This act may seem small in the grand scheme of things. It didn’t cost me much, nor did it require a big sacrifice. But it taught me one of the greatest lessons of life:
Kindness is not about changing the world; it’s about touching one life at a time.

We never know what burdens others are carrying, what grief lies behind their smiles, or how deeply they crave human connection.

Sometimes, all it takes is a warm word, a gentle gesture, a cup of tea… to let someone know they matter.

The Invisible Chain

Since then, I have made it a habit to perform small, random acts of kindness whenever I can.

Whether it’s helping someone carry their groceries, writing a kind comment on a blog post, or just lending an ear—these moments create invisible threads of compassion that connect us all.

And the beauty of kindness is that it often comes back to you in unexpected ways. The universe, I believe, keeps a quiet ledger.

When we give without expecting anything, life finds a way to return that goodness to us—sometimes through people, sometimes through peace, and sometimes through our own growth.

A Gentle Invitation

Dear friends, I invite you to look around today. Notice someone who might need a little light. It could be a stranger, a friend, or even yourself. Offer kindness—not because the world demands it, but because your heart desires it.

In the end, we are all walking each other home. Let’s make the journey a little warmer, a little brighter, and a little more loving—one random act of kindness at a time.

With gratitude and warmth,
– Vijay Verma
 www.retiredkalam.com

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Tags: #mental health, #Music, dailyprompt, dailyprompt-2017, featured, fiction, writing