“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see” – Mark Twain
The morning sun bathed the quiet village of Windmere in a golden glow, its rays stretching across the cobbled streets and quaint cottages. It was the kind of town where everyone knew each other, where life was slow, predictable, and comforting. But for Oliver Grant, the local baker, today was anything but ordinary.
As usual, he opened his small bakery, and the warm scent of freshly baked bread filled the air, drifting into the streets and calling early customers to his door. He greeted them with a smile, exchanging pleasantries and handing over warm loaves wrapped in brown paper. Business was steady, but Oliver’s heart was heavy. The harsh winter had caused the cost of flour to rise, and he struggled to keep his prices fair. Yet, no matter how difficult things became, he could never turn away a hungry soul.
That morning, as he arranged a fresh batch of pastries in the display window, a timid knock sounded at the door. He turned to find a young girl, no older than ten, shivering in a tattered coat. Her cheeks were flushed red from the cold, her fingers curled into fists at her sides.
“Good morning,” Oliver said gently. “Come in, you’re freezing.”
However, the girl hesitated before stepping inside. The warmth of the bakery enveloped her, and she closed her eyes for a brief moment as if savouring it.
“How can I help you?” Oliver asked, watching her closely.
She glanced at the loaves of bread, her eyes filled with longing, but she didn’t speak.
“Are you hungry?” he guessed.
She nodded, her gaze dropping to the floor. Oliver’s heart ached. He had seen her before, always wandering alone. He knew her name—Emily. She was the daughter of a widow who had fallen on hard times after her husband passed away.
Oliver reached for a loaf, then paused. “Tell you what,” he said, “why don’t you help me for a bit? You can sweep the floor, and I’ll give you some bread in return.”
Emily’s face brightened. “Really?”
“Of course,” Oliver said with a wink.
As she swept, he wrapped up a loaf and slipped a warm pastry into the bundle. When she finished, she took the food with gratitude shining in her eyes.
“Thank you, Mr. Grant,” she whispered before rushing out the door.
Oliver watched her go, a small smile on his lips. He knew he couldn’t change her situation entirely, but at least for today, she wouldn’t go hungry.
Days passed, and Emily returned every morning, eager to help in exchange for food. Oliver welcomed her, teaching her little things—how to knead dough and measure ingredients. As a result, slowly, she became part of the bakery, and he grew fond of her quiet determination.
Kindness – the quality of being generous, helpful, and caring about other people.
One afternoon, as Oliver was closing up shop, he noticed a well-dressed woman standing outside, watching him intently. She had kind eyes and a graceful posture, but something was searching in her expression.
“Can I help you?” he asked, stepping outside.
The woman hesitated before speaking. “I believe you’ve been helping my niece, Emily.”
Oliver stiffened. “If you’re here to object, I—”
She held up a hand. “No, please. I wanted to thank you.”
Surprised, Oliver remained silent as she continued.
“My name is Eleanor Hayes. I’m Emily’s aunt. I’ve been searching for her and my sister for months. I only recently found them. My sister… she’s too proud to ask for help, but Emily told me about you.”
Oliver frowned. “They’ve been struggling for some time. Your sister never mentioned any family.”
Eleanor sighed. “We lost touch after my brother-in-law passed. I wanted to help, but she wouldn’t let me. Emily’s kindness in sharing her food with her mother made me realise how much they needed support.”
Oliver’s heart swelled at the thought. Even with so little, Emily had shared what she had.
“I want to do something for you,” Eleanor continued. “Your kindness towards my niece has not gone unnoticed.”
Oliver shook his head. “There’s no need—”
“I insist,” she interrupted. “Admittedly, Emily loves working here. If you’d be willing, I’d like to fund her education and help her mother find stable work. And if there’s anything you need for your bakery, consider it done.”
Oliver was stunned. “That’s… more than generous.”
“You gave when you had little to spare,” Eleanor said. “Kindness like that deserves to be rewarded.”
Tears pricked Oliver’s eyes, but he quickly blinked them away. “I’d love for Emily to stay. She’s a natural in the kitchen.”
Eleanor smiled warmly. “Then it’s settled.”
Months later, the bakery thrived. With Eleanor’s help, Oliver expanded his business, and Emily flourished. Emily went back to School and was no longer the timid girl in a tattered coat. Helping out at the baker’s at weekends, she now wore an apron too big for her, dusted in flour as she eagerly learned everything Oliver taught her.
But the true reward was in the lesson they had all learned—kindness, no matter how small, has a way of rippling outward, touching lives in ways one never expects.
Undoubtedly, you, too, have something to say about kindness. Kindly share in the comment box below.
