Determined to figure it out, Ben followed the school bus the next morning. When it arrived, all the kids got off—except for Emily. Worried, Ben rushed onto the bus.
What he found was a surprise. The bus driver, a kind woman named Madeline, was gently brushing Emily’s hair.
“Mr. Bruce!” Madeline said, startled. Emily looked up, equally surprised.
“Dad, what are you doing here?” she asked.
“I was worried about why you’ve been late,” Ben replied, trying to remain calm.
Madeline smiled. “Emily was having trouble with her hair, so I offered to help her brush it before class. She told me it made her feel embarrassed when it was messy.”
Ben turned to his daughter. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Emily lowered her gaze. “You already do so much, Dad. I didn’t want to bother you.”
Later, Ben took Madeline out for coffee to thank her. During their conversation, Madeline shared her story. She was a cancer survivor and felt her purpose now was to help kids like Emily, whether it was by lending an ear or helping with something as simple as their hair. “I believe I survived to make a difference in someone’s life,” she said tearfully.
Touched by her kindness, Ben arranged for Emily’s tardiness to be excused. From then on, Madeline continued to help Emily with her hair, and the two grew close. Ben and Madeline also stayed in touch, forever grateful for the kindness she had shown.
Lessons from this story:
- Don’t jump to conclusions: Ben feared the worst when Emily stayed on the bus, but by investigating, he discovered an act of kindness.
- Acts of kindness can have lasting impacts: Madeline’s simple gesture of helping with Emily’s hair made a significant difference in both Emily’s and Ben’s lives.
Share this story to inspire others—it might brighten their day!
