The times you were offered a helping hand | Chitchat

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In last week's chitchat, we discussed those memorable moments when a stranger has offered to lend a helping hand. Whether it's lifting heavy luggage, giving some spare change or offering something as simple as a smile, often it's the small acts of kindness that make more of an impression than some grand, overblown gesture. Sometimes we don't even get the chance to express our gratitude, but our benefactors can rest easy knowing that we will pay the kindness forward. 

@ 灰白

To the best of my memory, I got lost on the subway the first time I went to university, because I'd never taken the subway before. At the time I cried, then suddenly a friendly older person who was waiting for a train asked me what was wrong. l hesitated to explain, but after I did, she carefully told me how to get to my university. To be honest, l was moved by that stranger.

@ Ubuntu

Last year, I helped a lady who had something wrong with her left leg. When I was leaving the elevator, I saw her asking for help but everyone ignored her. So I asked: "How can I help you?" She said: "Can you help me with my luggage, it's too heavy to carry, thank you." Now that I recall the experience of helping others in need, it makes me want to continue doing good deeds. It would stimulate my mind and body, and encourage me to help more people who are in trouble. I believe that a good man has good luck in life.

@ Catherine

I was on my way home after visiting a friend and didn't realize my cellphone was out of credit because I hadn't topped it up. I needed to use a navigation application, so I borrowed a phone from a stranger to call my friend, who helped me top up. There weren't many people to ask for help at 6 o'clock in the morning.

@ 温蕾

The first day of 2012 saw me going back to my hometown without a penny — I lost my purse without even knowing it. I still had no clue when I heard my name called over the train's PA system. But the moment I was told by a hostess that my purse had been found by someone, I finally realized what was going on. The train was already underway, however, and my purse was still at the railway station's lost property office. Seeing my helplessness, the kind hostess offered to lend me some money, I thanked her and called my sister to pick me up. I am still grateful to the railway staff, and the person who found my purse.

@ Karen

Three years ago, I had to go to university by myself with some heavy luggage. But up to that point, I hadn't been to that city before. When I got off the coach, I realized I wasn't able to carry my luggage. I was so embarrassed. Then, a man who was about my father's age offered to help me. I thanked him, and he said he had just sent his son to school and knew how difficult it was for freshmen. I am thankful for meeting this kind stranger when I first arrived in this city. These days, I always remember his kindness and give a helping hand to others like him.

@ 陈俊明

When I was a little boy, there was a time when I went to fish with my elder sister. All of a sudden, I slipped into the river. The next thing I remember is my father holding me by a fireside. I had survived. All these years have passed and I still don't know who got me out of that river, so I try to do things to help people whenever I can, to help me find peace inside.

@ Yogur

In the first year of my college life, I used to have an old bicycle. One morning, it broke down and I was a little worried about making it to my course on time. Then, a boy came to me and offered to lend a hand. Although it was me who repaired the bike, I was very moved to receive such a warm offer of help from a stranger. I was in a good mood the whole day.

@ 有只毛

I spent an unforgettable Spring Festival in a foreign country. On my way to the subway station, I saw a man playing a guitar for money. He kept staring at me, at my clothes, and my Chinese food. It was late at night and I was so scared that I gave him some change. After that, unexpectedly, he played the song Jasmine Flower for me. It wasn't perfect, but it was familiar. I burst into tears and gave him a grateful hug.

@ 倚楼丶听风雨

One of my neighbors is an old man who cannot speak. Although he lives in an apartment in Beijing, he still makes money by recycling waste. Our other neighbors don't like his behavior and criticize him. But in my opinion, it's his way to support his family. Once, after I'd cleaned the house, I placed some cardboard boxes on his stack of boxes and left the rest of my garbage beside my door. However, when I was about to go out, I found nothing outside my door but a note: "I have thrown away your garbage, you are a good man. Thanks a lot!"

While helping others we must also protect ourselves and keep an eye on whomever it is we are helping. Of course, everyone hopes that no one will take advantage of their kindness. But maybe it's best to follow the advice of our next reader, who tries to find a balance between kindness and self-preservation.

@ 那时我们有梦

Actually, it's hard to balance kindness and indifference, because in school we're told to be kind and warm to people and try to offer a helping hand to those in need. But at home, we are told to be wary of strangers and not easily trust or talk to them. Thus I get confused sometimes, and when I was growing up, I was slighted as much as I was met with warmth. So now I don't offer help straight away, and will stand by and observe the situation before deciding if I should take action. Maybe that's the problem with everyone nowadays, we all make our hearts hard and closed off.

编辑 Editors: 张曦 Zhang Xi, 李岚燕 Li Lanyan (intern)

Click here for audio and translation of the stor

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