The act of kindness has a mystical quality.

There is a feeling of emptying oneself after performing a good deed.

You feel renewed and energized, and you experience an unexplainable joy of humility.

Children’s definitions of kindness include helping others and sharing. The typical scenario is that a beggar approaches someone and requests food or water, and that person gladly shares. When a good deed is performed, the beggar changes into a fairy godmother and bestows a reward.

Observe these fairy tales, shall we? How did kindness come about?

The Elves and the Shoemaker

In their old age, a shoemaker and his wife toiled away to produce shoes for everyone. The elves observed their commitment as having stayed up all night and maintaining the dignity of work into old age. A pair of shoes were made for the shoemaker and his wife while they slept by kind elves. When the wife learned about the elves, she made them colorful clothing as a thank-you gift.

The Selfish Giant

There once was a giant with a lovely garden. Kids were never allowed to play in his garden because he was cruel to them. The plants started to wilt and the garden became dry one day. The giant was clueless as to what to do until he heard a humming voice that caused the flowers to bloom once more. Unable to climb the large tree to peer over the garden’s wall, a child attempted to do so in awe. Aware of the child’s plight, the giant intervened to assist him. When he noticed the joyful kids nearby, he took down the fence and let them play there every day. Days passed, and the giant grew older, until one day he realized the young boy was no longer among the kids. He felt very sad.

The young boy was someone he constantly missed. One afternoon, the young boy was standing by the trees with his hands pierced, glowing, as the giant waited. He rushed to the child, offering assistance and reassuring him of his love. When the young boy called out his name, the enormous man began to sob and knelt down. The giant was smiling and lying next to a blossoming tree when the kids returned to the garden the following day. Whom do you suppose the young boy was?

Happiness in one another truly flows like a river’s current when kindness is reciprocated. Like an angel’s miracle, it is perfectly given and received. The feeling of joy and peace is so strong that words are inadequate.

Seeing children display this talent is overwhelming. As an illustration, when my grandson Marco brought two balloons home from school, he gave one balloon to his brother Matthew and the other to his cousin Raynne. Only six years old, Marco. My students at Holy Francis School gave food to a classmate who had forgotten or had no snacks. These boys may occasionally be snarky, but when called upon for assistance, they behaved heroically.

If everyone was kind, the world would be so lovely! What joy and peace it brings to everyone! The Holy Spirit’s fruit is kindness. Please pass it on.