A little help can make a big difference

MANILA, Philippines - A senior co-school head smiled and commented as I picked up a piece of paper lying on the cement pavement near where he was standing and threw it in the trashcan,

boy!” It was slang for doing something really good. It felt good. So good! And so off I went doing little good deeds.

What we do for others or for the environment may not change the world or solve our problems but believe me, it does make a difference.

Often we’re impressed when the rich donate large sums of money to worthy causes. In comparison, we see our contributions as miniscule. The truth is, one can make a big difference in someone else’s life and may not know it until many years later. Let me share with you a heartwarming story. A young teacher once had a little girl in her class who had no school shoes. One weekend, the teacher brought the child a pair of black shoes. The following year, the teacher was transferred to a another school where she taught until her retirement.

Shortly after retiring, the teacher became very ill and was hospitalized. Surprisingly, in the hospital she was treated like royalty. When she recuperated, she wanted to thank the person for that special medical VIP treatment.

When the teacher went to the office where she was told she’d find the person she was looking for, she was surprised to see a lady doctor in her late 40s. As she was beginning her “thank you” speech, the doctor interrupted. “I wanted to thank you,” she said. Her words bewildered the teacher. “You don’t remember me, do you?” said the doctor. “You bought me a pair of shoes many years ago. Your caring for me inspired me to want to care for others so I became a doctor. Finally, I was able to thank you for the shoes.”

Inspired? What are you waiting for? Do a good deed today. A little caring can go a long, long way.

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(The author is the school head of Bical Elementary School, Mabalacat East District, Pampanga.)