Fairy tales are not the only place where the forces of good exist.
By word or deed, ordinary individuals can sometimes act as good fairies and improve the lives of strangers. Similar stories were shared by these netizens.
One day I was working at a fast food restaurant when this woman left a Louis Vuitton purse on the table. After about twenty minutes of waiting I remembered seeing her leave so I picked it up and placed it in the lost and found.
I didn’t even look inside.
A month has passed. “Hey, it’s been a month…do you want the bag?” my employer asked. Sure, I said, going to the back to get it.
To my surprise, there was only a piece of paper inside when I unzipped the lid.
When I opened the paper, I saw that it was a receipt from a bag.
On the receipt was a note: “To a girl who needed a new purse for vacation.” Who was the woman even intending to do this to? I checked the receipt and found that this bag cost $1700.
I carefully filled it with things and went home without saying a word.
That bag has made me look great at many job interviews. I still keep the bag because it serves as a reminder to give back to others and brings back memories of humble times when I was little. © Quora/Katelyn Guzman
When I first got married many years ago, we lived paycheck to paycheck and had very little money. I worked part-time while my wife was expecting our first child. A few days before payday, I went to the store to buy only the essentials. Some bread. A little detergent. A jar of mayonnaise, I believe.
Items totaling approximately $10.
I was hoping my debit card would be cleared when I pulled it up at the register. “Rejected,” said the cashier. Please try again. As a line formed behind me, I asked her to return the item before swiping with the updated total. The now agitated cashier said, “Once again refused.”
Even though I was embarrassed when the card was accepted to buy that insignificant loaf of bread, I still hung my head when I swiped it last time.
I grabbed the receipt and slunk to the car, wanting to disappear as I felt like a complete failure of the provider and humiliated. When I was almost in the car, I heard the voice of a young girl who was standing right behind me with her mother. “Lord! Lord!”
When I turned around, she reached out to hand me a plastic grocery bag. Everything I asked the cashier to exchange was there. “It’s okay, we bought it for you.
I said “Thank you”, walked to my car, put my head on the steering wheel, and sobbed like a baby because I was surprised, amazed,d and truly humbled. With recognition, with guilt, with the ridiculousness of the position, and with the disappointment of being the “breadwinner” but unable to provide for the basic necessities of life.
Even after some twenty-five years, I still remember that little girl and her mom clearly, and it still brings tears to my eyes when I realize how much a seemingly insignificant act can mean to someone in need. Since then, I have offered to help others wherever possible – yes, even in grocery stores. © Reddit/akambe When I was sixteen and traveling there with my family, New York was expected to be incredibly hot. I didn’t know that I should wear warm clothes, especially for long trips, because I haven’t been on a plane much. I forgot to take the sweater out of my checked luggage and took shorts and a T-shirt instead.
I was cold and trying to sleep on the night flight. I didn’t know I could ask for a blanket and the attendant never showed up.
Next to an elderly foreign tourist couple, I was separated from my family and trying to sleep through the winter.
After a few hours, I woke up to find that my body temperature had dropped. As I sat down, I noticed that I had a hand-knitted scarf wrapped around my shoulders.
After noticing my curious expression, the woman next to me said in broken English, “You’re shaking in your sleep, I have this” and pointed to the scarf. “Go to bed, he’s sleeping,” she said, pointing to her husband who started to wake up when I thanked her sincerely. I thanked her even more as we got off the plane and went back to sleep for the rest of the trip. What a beautiful girl. © Reddit/scratpac4774
A very old woman came up to me gave me $20 and said, “Hey honey, here’s help with the diapers, they’re pretty expensive.” When I was a very young and pregnant girl living in the South, I used to get a lot of nasty looks and comments about having a baby so early and out of wedlock. I wish you luck. That act of generosity will forever be part of my memory. © Reddit/Coddiwomplek
During my freshman year of college, I was in the mood to talk to women. That’s what happens, I suppose when you go from a small high school to a big university. However, I was more shy than usual. I was at a party when I noticed a female and forced myself to approach her despite my shyness.
As a result, I was extremely embarrassed. I don’t remember exactly what happened, but it was something like, “Try somewhere else, 3 shouldn’t be talking to 10.” I said hello. Moreover, I remember her saying this to the loud laughter of several neighbors, who then began to shout that I had been rejected. I felt like I was being watched when I went to another room to get away.
When I turn around, I see the most stunning woman I have ever seen in my four years of college. She went on to tell me that I should decline because the girl I was talking to and her friends engaged in a game of approaching men and then rejecting them. She said if I stayed with her for the rest of the night I would become her “friend”.
I had just finished my first semester and she was a senior on the verge of graduation. However, that one act of kindness literally restored my confidence and I was able to shake off my newfound shyness.
After that, I ran up to her a few times in the dorm and she gave me a big hug. Even if not, it would be an amazing feeling! She even texted me throughout my college years to check on me. © Reddit/chuck_cascio
I am a student who works as a waitress at night and studies during the day. It’s been three months since I moved from another city and I still haven’t made any friends. I also broke a tooth yesterday. The agony was terrible, unbearable. I was unable to pay the dentist.
I work shifts and any sudden movement or loud noise makes my pain literally explode. The other servers on the shift then approached me and gave me an envelope with all of our shift tips. “There you go baby!” they said.
Get your teeth fixed first thing tomorrow. This kindness even brought tears to my eyes. © VK/Ward 6
I accidentally got a pink rose from a stranger. The fact that he simply handed it to me with a smile on his face and without saying a word changed my day, week, and month. He was an older man. I haven’t seen him since. © Reddit/Author Unknown
During the summer holidays, I worked as a housekeeper at a Comfort Inn, which turned out to be an extremely physically demanding job when I was going through a period of intense grief and grieving in college. I think the summer months of manual labor and spending most of the day alone allowed me to process some difficult feelings.
Anyway, one day while cleaning my room I was hot and sweaty in the steamy heat and dirty and tired because they only air-conditioned the rooms, not the hallways. Two handsome men with bright eyes, well-dressed bodies, dark smooth skin, and huge, beautiful smiles stopped as they loaded trash into my cart and sang me a beautiful acapella song. The texture and resonance of their voices echoed down the long empty corridor and it was incredible.
Turns out the singers are on their way to the show. I will always remember that meeting. I still remember how it felt to have someone understand how much beauty and kindness can lift someone’s spirits, even though it was about 12 years ago. © Reddit/Manic_Sloth
My first wife left us when my son was a baby. It was hard, but I did it.
One evening I had dinner with some friends. There was no table in the men’s room, so I had to change the baby. When I asked a woman leaving the lady’s room if she was free, she looked at it and gave me the all-clear.
She approached me and offered to change him while I organized my diaper bag.
She put her arm on me and insisted even though I informed her that I had it. She could clearly see that I was suppressing a breakdown the whole time. Like a complete stranger changing my little boy, I sobbed for a moment, thanked her profusely, and went back to dinner with friends with less weight on my shoulders. She was an angel to me that night, but I had no idea who she was. © Reddit/PrintError
My grandmother’s vintage sugar and creamer set was something I adored. My grandmother still used hers, but when I got married I wanted my own. So I set out to find a collection that would be comparable. Because it was so hard to find, it seems that this specific plastic set was either not very popular or not many survived.
I couldn’t even find a picture of what I was looking for so I just posted a description of it on an antiques forum. The woman responded with a picture of the kit she owned. I explained to her my desire for it and asked if she would sell it. I gave her my address and asked for a return address or payment link after she replied that she would think about selling.
I didn’t hear back, but a few weeks later I received a kit in the mail (no return address) along with a heartfelt note wishing me the best of luck in my new marriage and home and hoping I would appreciate the kit she provided. I received this amazing gift from a complete stranger who I knew nothing about or where they lived. I still use the same set thirteen years later and really appreciate it! © Reddit/WifeofTech
A few hours before the wedding, I was in the elevator, all decked out. “Are you the groom?” asked the man entering the elevator as he looked at me. I replied, “Yes.” He said, “You look calm, that means you’re doing the right thing.”
And to start the most amazing day of my life, I needed to hear just that. I’m grateful, lifters. © Reddit/Talias Mithevallir
Since almost all of my high school friends abandoned me due to my popularity in my freshman year of high school, I was shunned and became a loner. I guess I was “too stupid” or “unattractive” to join them. I was quite out of shape, generally unathletic, and aware that people made fun of me, so I always fell behind in PE classes.
One day I was jogging during warm-up when one of the most popular athletic girls made a special effort to tell me she liked my outfit and all her friends gave her a strange look. We became friends when I messaged her on Instagram to let her know how much it meant. Although it may not seem like it, it meant a lot to me and I will always remember it because it showed me how much a small act of kindness can change someone’s life. © Reddit/riskycreme
Our dog was hit by a car. The couple did not hit her but watched as she was hit. They tried to save her by following her. They searched the forest but did not find her.
These individuals were spotted by another stranger who asked what they were looking for. The man offered his hunting dog to follow her scent after explaining that they were looking for an injured dog. This group of unknown people was eventually led to our dog by a dog. After wrapping her up and calling me, we met at the nearest veterinary emergency room.
“I know you’re young and I know what it’s like to be young, we can help pay for it,” the pair offered when we were shocked to find our dog with a shattered jaw and a gaping eye. The whole experience restored our trust in people. Almost a year later, our puppy is still alive and well, but only thanks to the unwavering generosity of strangers. © Reddit/turnipsedith
I was struggling in my new job as a waitress and during one shift I didn’t think to inform anyone that the table numbers had changed so I didn’t know about the new seating arrangement. My manager suddenly left, took my plates, and yelled at me to get back in the kitchen and be helpful for once after I was delivering food to the wrong tables and was irritated that no one seemed to understand.
When my manager started to ramble, a slightly older woman stood up and told the manager how busy he was and that he needed to revive his ideas. I was quite upset and embarrassed as it was in front of a busy restaurant/tea house. She then approached me, complimented me on my good work, and gave me a traditional Nana hug. I may have shed a tear or two. © Reddit/Curious-Resource-962
My mother, who had Alzheimer’s, lived with me. Before we left the dentist’s office, we waited for our turn to pay. Another woman told her she couldn’t afford the price they were quoting for whatever she needed, and she heard it. “Do I have money?” my mother asked me, may she rest in peace. “Okay,” she replied, “I want to pay for the lady’s dental bill.” I answered “Yes.”
I didn’t hear the exchange so I had no idea who she was referring to.
The young woman at the counter understood what my mom was talking about, even as the woman went to the bathroom and said, “Her bill will be $275.” “Do I have enough money?” my mother said without missing a beat. She paid the bill after I said yes.
We left the bathroom before she came. My mother was thrilled. © Reddit/3b1gplusgrb
It wasn’t until the next morning that I realized that my cat Max had run away from the house one night. I recently went through a terrible breakup and was tired of the guilt and anxiety.
That evening, at about seven o’clock, I heard someone knocking on the door. If I miss the cat, the man asked. It just so happened that Max was hit by a truck before the man discovered him. On his way to work, he stopped to see if he could help when he saw my cat lying in the road.
He spent his entire workday driving my cat in the car because he was an electrician on call all day. He split his ham sandwich with Max, gave him water, and kept him warm. I asked how he knew it was my cat as he was adept at escaping from a collar and was missing the marks when the man discovered him.
As is often the case, after his shift he went door to door along the entire route to see if anyone had lost a cat. So he found Max.
He claimed to be a cat lover and wanted someone to repay him. After returning to his cat, he picked up my cat. In the five minutes the exchange took, I never even got his name.
After eight years, my cat has fully recovered and is currently lying next to me.
I will never forget this man, but I wish I knew who he was so I could thank him properly. © Reddit/ArobaticAsparagus6
And these stories show that every happy ending is the result of compassion.
These stories remind us that acts of kindness, no matter how small or unexpected, have the power to change lives in profound ways. Whether it’s a stranger stepping in to offer help when someone is in trouble, or simply a moment of empathy that lightens another’s burden, kindness has the power to heal, uplift, and restore hope. From the anonymous generosity of paying someone’s dental bill to a man rescuing a street cat, these gestures are a testament to the goodness that can still be found in the world, often from the most unexpected sources.
In each of these cases, the recipients of the kindness were moved not only by the acts themselves but also by the reminder that they were seen and cared for. These stories also highlight how such acts can leave lasting memories, shape how we view others, and even influence how we approach the world.
Whether we are the ones offering help or receiving it, these moments teach us the importance of compassion and remind us that kindness is always a powerful force for good. It is a call to be more aware of our surroundings, to help when we can, and to appreciate the humanity in one another. Through these stories, we see that the world can truly be a better place when people take the time to show kindness, offer hope, comfort, and sometimes a much-needed reminder that we are not alone.