Be Kind
Reading time: 7 min
Be Kind is a Realistic Fiction from United States set in the Contemporary This Simple tale explores themes of Friendship and is suitable for Children. It offers Moral insights. A story about the ripple effect of kindness and how small actions can make a big difference.
- United States
- United States
- United States
- Contemporary
- Realistic Fiction
- Children
- English
- Friendship
- Simple
- Moral
In a small, sunlit classroom, a young girl named Talia sat by the window, her chin resting on her hand. She gazed at the rainy sky, feeling the weight of something in her heart. It wasn't sadness or anger, but something in between—an unsettled feeling. Talia remembered the incident that had happened only moments before, during art class, and how everyone’s laughter had filled the room in a way that felt sharp and pointed. She couldn’t shake it from her mind.
Today was the day when Tanisha had spilled grape juice on her new, light pink dress. The stain bloomed on the fabric like a small, dark flower, and Tanisha’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment as laughter erupted around her. Talia had watched, feeling a pang of sympathy, wanting to reach out but hesitating, unsure of what to say or do. She wondered, *What does it really mean to be kind?*
As Talia pondered this question, she thought back to all the little acts of kindness she’d witnessed or been a part of. She remembered her mom bringing soup to an elderly neighbor when he was sick and her dad offering a ride to a friend who missed the bus. These acts seemed so small yet felt so big. But could they be enough to make Tanisha feel better? Talia felt determined to find out.
The Act of a Smile
The next day, Talia arrived at school with a mission. She had decided that she would make Tanisha smile, no matter what. She spotted Tanisha sitting alone under a tree at recess, clutching her lunchbox tightly, eyes downcast.
"Hi, Tanisha!" Talia greeted her brightly, sitting down beside her. Tanisha looked up, her face still clouded with yesterday’s embarrassment. "Want to trade snacks? I have peanut butter crackers." She held them out, smiling.
Tanisha hesitated but finally smiled back, a small, hesitant smile. "Sure," she replied, taking a cracker.
Talia felt a warm glow in her chest as they shared the snack in comfortable silence. It wasn’t much, but it was a start. And maybe, just maybe, this tiny act of kindness would ripple out, making Tanisha feel a bit more comfortable. Little did Talia know that her small gesture had already planted a seed that would grow far beyond the schoolyard.
More Than Words
Later that week, Talia began thinking of other ways she could be kind. She realized that kindness wasn’t always about grand gestures or impressive words. Sometimes, it was just about showing up for someone who needed a friend.
One rainy afternoon, as they lined up for gym class, Talia noticed another classmate, Marco, struggling with his gym shoes. His fingers fumbled with the laces, frustration evident in his furrowed brow. The other kids rushed past, eager to get to the gym and play dodgeball, but Talia paused.
"Want some help, Marco?" she asked gently.
Marco looked up, surprised, but then nodded gratefully. "Thanks," he mumbled, stepping aside so she could reach the laces.
As she helped him tie his shoes, Talia could feel a few kids watching. She ignored them and focused on the laces, making sure they were just right.
"You're all set," she said, giving him a reassuring smile.
Marco grinned, and Talia felt that warm glow again. She hadn’t needed to say much; sometimes, actions really did speak louder than words. She wondered if Marco would remember this moment and feel inspired to help someone else one day.
A Chain of Kindness
The next day, Talia noticed that Marco was, in fact, paying kindness forward. She spotted him holding the door open for another classmate and sharing his lunch with a new student who had forgotten theirs. Talia felt a swell of pride. Could it be that her small act of kindness had sparked something in him?
Throughout the week, Talia kept looking for little ways to be kind. She shared her art supplies with someone who had forgotten theirs, complimented a shy classmate’s drawing, and offered to clean up the classroom after an art project. Each act made her feel as though she were adding a bit of warmth to her school, like patches on a quilt that slowly covered the entire classroom.
The Art of Listening
One day, during free reading time, Talia noticed a classmate named Sam sitting alone, staring at the cover of his book rather than reading it. Sam was often quiet and didn’t join in the games the other kids played. Curious, Talia slid into the seat next to him.
“Do you like that book?” she asked softly.
Sam looked at her, surprise flickering in his eyes. “I don’t know,” he said slowly. “It’s hard to focus sometimes.”
Talia nodded, listening without interrupting. She didn’t need to fix anything or make suggestions; she just needed to be there, to make him feel seen and heard.
As Sam continued to share bits of his thoughts, his voice grew stronger, more confident. When the bell rang, he smiled and thanked her for listening. Talia walked away with a light heart, realizing that sometimes kindness was as simple as being a good listener.
Kindness Is Everywhere
Talia began to notice acts of kindness everywhere she went. The teacher lending an extra pencil, a student helping another with math, her mom leaving a note in her lunchbox that read, “I’m proud of you.” These acts were quiet, often unnoticed, yet powerful.
She decided to keep a kindness journal, writing down all the acts of kindness she saw or experienced. Some pages were filled with the names of people she wanted to thank, while others held memories of moments that made her feel happy or cared for. Talia began to understand that kindness wasn’t just about one big action. It was about a lot of little actions, adding up to create a better world.
A New Perspective
One day, Talia’s teacher announced a class project on kindness. They were going to create a “Kindness Tree” on the wall, where every student could add a leaf describing a kind act they had done or received. Talia was thrilled. She had so many ideas to share!
She wrote about helping Marco with his shoes, listening to Sam, and her moments with Tanisha. Each leaf she added made her feel like she was contributing to something much bigger than herself. And as she watched her classmates add their leaves, she realized that kindness was a gift they all had the power to give.
When the Kindness Tree was full, it was a beautiful display of colors and words. Every leaf told a story, and together they created a canopy of kindness that everyone could enjoy.
A Brighter School
By the end of the school year, Talia noticed that her classroom had transformed. Kids were friendlier, more willing to help one another, and less quick to judge or laugh at others’ mistakes. Tanisha, Marco, and Sam had all changed in their own ways, and so had she.
Talia felt proud of the person she was becoming. She knew that kindness wasn’t just about making others feel better; it was also about growing her own heart, about feeling a deep sense of connection with the world around her.
Conclusion: The Ripple Effect
Talia’s journey didn’t end when the school year was over. She carried the lessons she had learned with her into the summer and beyond. She continued looking for ways to be kind, realizing that her actions, however small, could create ripples that spread out in ways she couldn’t always see.
In the end, Talia understood that kindness wasn’t just a single act or a single word. It was a way of living, a choice she could make every day. And as long as she kept making that choice, she knew she was making the world a brighter, better place.
