Kindness

"...if you can't say nothin' nice, then don't say nothin' at all." That line, spoken by

Thumper from Walt Disney's classic children's story, "Bambi", carries as well today as it

has for the past 60-years. The message our friend Thumper gives is that of kindness. It

costs nothing, is easy to give, and so immensely gratifying to receive. However, with

today's hectic schedules and time restraints, one might overlook some simple acts of

good-heartedness that happen all around us. You see it on the bus, in the supermarket and

in your neighbourhood. In addition, when you do discover that transaction: pay it

forward. Kindness is contagious.

One such case happened just the other day on the bus ride to school. As with all bus rides,

this was again completely full of commuters. Packed in like sardines it was standing

room only. As the motor coach continued to collect more fares, I saw a fragile, failing,

unthriving old woman tediously make her way through the gauntlet as more and more

passengers filed in. Others, of her stature, occupied all the courtesy seats so she was

destined to stand while the bus darted in and out of traffic. A group of teens, too wrapped

up in their conversations, seemed to ignore the old woman standing there amongst them

as they sat in comfort, oblivious to their surroundings. Hair painted in a kaleidoscope of

crayola colors, leather pants with matching jackets, studs and piercings coming out of

every orifice on their body, they sat - undisturbed. Then, unexpectedly, one of the

charges in mid-sentence rises and offers the elderly woman his seat. She gratefully

accepts it, saying "What a nice, nice young man you are"..."so kind of a good-boy to do

this, God bless you my son!"

Others, seeing this unselfish act, began one by one to abandon their seats to those

standing in the aisle. Men and boys alike, standing while women and girls replaced them.

Thumper would be proud.

Following that observation I made it a quest, so to speak, to see other deeds of

compassion. I was positive it engulfed society more than just the odd occurance. I did not

have to venture far. It attacked me in the supermarket checkout and caught me totally

unprepared. A single mom was balancing the unloading of her grocery cart onto the

conveyor belt while simultaneously juggling to the needs of her youngest boy. He was

perhaps three and he wanted "candy". What began as a stubborn defience to the word

"No", gradually escalated. The stomping of feet, the rubbery legs, the flailing arms all

drew steadfast attention from the other patrons. Louder and louder the tot vocalized his

distaste for his mothers' decision. The high notes that this youngster reached would have

even intimidated Ella Fitzgerald.

"Man oh man"..."That kid shouldn't be out in public"..."Give him the candy", were

faintly heard throughout the string of shoppers. Then, unexpectedly, a nine-year-old boy

snaked his way through the swarm of irate customers. Upon reaching the mother and her

son, he retrieved from his pocket, a shiny toy race car and two Pokemon cards. While

holding them out ahead of him, they appeared almost magical in effect. Without a word

the boy gave over his prized possessions; this immediately quelled the situation. As the

youngster turned the car over and over in his hands, watching as the sunlight cast

mirrored reflections throughout the store, his tears replaced with a smile. His

brutally deafenning squeals replaced with a gentle, contented hum. As the mother

finnished her shopping and they left the store, the young boy; clutching the treasures in

his hand, turned to give a shy wave to his new friend. I could read the guilt on the faces

of the adults as they contemplated their responces to the event. I could also discern their

respect