Essay About Nice Young Man And High Notes

Kindness
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“if you cant say nothin nice, then dont say nothin at all.” That line, spoken by
Thumper from Walt Disneys classic childrens story, “Bambi”, carries as well today as it
has for the past 60-years. The message our friend Thumper gives is that of kindness. It
costs nothing, is easy to give, and so immensely gratifying to receive. However, with
todays hectic schedules and time restraints, one might overlook some simple acts of
good-heartedness that happen all around us. You see it on the bus, in the supermarket and
in your neighbourhood. In addition, when you do discover that transaction: pay it
forward. Kindness is contagious.
One such case happened just the other day on the bus ride to school. As with all bus rides,
this was again completely full of commuters. Packed in like sardines it was standing
room only. As the motor coach continued to collect more fares, I saw a fragile, failing,
unthriving old woman tediously make her way through the gauntlet as more and more
passengers filed in. Others, of her stature, occupied all the courtesy seats so she was
destined to stand while the bus darted in and out of traffic. A group of teens, too wrapped
up in their conversations, seemed to ignore the old woman standing there amongst them
as they sat in comfort, oblivious to their surroundings. Hair painted in a kaleidoscope of
crayola colors, leather pants with matching jackets, studs and piercings coming out of
every orifice on their body, they sat – undisturbed. Then, unexpectedly, one of the
charges in mid-sentence rises and offers the elderly woman his seat. She gratefully
accepts it, saying “What a nice, nice young man you are”…”so kind of a good-boy to do
this, God bless you my son!”
Others, seeing this unselfish act, began one by one to abandon their seats to those
standing in the aisle. Men and boys alike, standing while women and girls replaced them.
Thumper would be proud.
Following that observation I made it a quest, so to speak, to see other deeds of
compassion. I was positive it engulfed society more than just the odd occurance. I did not
have to venture far. It attacked me in the supermarket checkout and caught me totally
unprepared. A single mom was balancing the unloading of her grocery cart onto the
conveyor belt while simultaneously juggling to the needs of her youngest boy. He was
perhaps three and he wanted “candy”. What began as a stubborn defience to the word
“No”, gradually escalated. The stomping of feet, the rubbery legs, the flailing arms all
drew steadfast attention from the other patrons. Louder and louder the tot vocalized his
distaste for his mothers decision. The high notes that this youngster reached would have
even intimidated Ella Fitzgerald.
“Man oh man”…”That kid shouldnt be out in public”…”Give him the candy”, were
faintly heard throughout the string of shoppers. Then, unexpectedly, a nine-year-old boy
snaked his way through the swarm of irate customers. Upon reaching the mother and her
son, he retrieved from his pocket, a shiny toy race car and two Pokemon cards. While
holding them out ahead of him, they appeared almost magical in effect. Without a word
the boy gave over his prized possessions; this immediately quelled the situation. As the
youngster turned the car over and over in his hands, watching as the sunlight cast
mirrored reflections throughout the store, his tears replaced with a smile. His
brutally deafenning squeals replaced with a gentle, contented hum. As the mother
finnished her shopping and they left the store, the young boy; clutching the treasures in
his hand, turned to give a shy wave to his new friend. I could read the guilt on the faces
of the adults as they contemplated their responces to the event. I could also discern their
respect