A school bus driver sees a crying boy in the backseat and spends his last dollar to help him, unaware that his kindness will be returned.
Derek shivered as he opened the bus gate, and a swarm of cute, warm-dressed kids boarded.
Enter quickly, kids! Weather kills me! Grrr “He shuddered, and the kids laughed.
“You’re so silly, Derek!” a girl said as she entered. “Ask your mommy to get you a new scarf!”
I wish my mother was alive, sweetheart. She would buy me a better scarf than yours! So jealous!” He pouted, making the girl smile.
She responded, “Mommy gets me the best scarves!” “I will tell her to get one for you!”
“No, dear. Just kidding! Get in. I must drive carefully today.”
Kindness breeds kindness and occasionally love.
Derek was that way. The school bus driver was chubby and lovely, usually smiling brightly. The kids’ warm chuckles and funny giggles enlivened his day, and he liked his job despite the low pay, which often caused disagreements with his wife.
It pays peanuts! Recognize that? Keeping that job in this inflation won’t pay off the mortgage “she yelled.
“Darling,” he’d say politely. “You know I adore my job. I’ll work hard, and we’ll succeed!”
While alone on his bus after dropping off the kids, Derek would be sad, thinking about his problems and possible solutions. He was kind, but kindness doesn’t pay. Does it?
***
Derek cautiously drove his bus on the heavy ice that day. Getting stuck on ice in the middle of the road bothered him.
When they arrived at school, he warned them to descend carefully. Guys, don’t fall on the ice! Be careful, Milly!”
Derek grabbed a steaming cup of coffee from the school cafeteria after the kids got off the bus. He excitedly thought, “Coffee would be the best antidote to the cold weather!”
He stopped when he heard a soft sob before descending. He looked into his bus’s last seat and saw a child.
“Hey, kid,” he called to the boy. “You ain’t going to class today?”
A crying boy shook his head.
“What’s wrong, kid? Are you alright?” he inquired, approaching him.
Derek realized the boy was tucking his hands behind him. “What are you hiding there, buddy?” he inquired. “Is something upsetting you? You can explain. I’ll help!”
“Is…it’s just so cold out there,” the boy said ultimately. “I am just cold…”
Derek was frightened as the youngster displayed his hands. The child’s hands were bluish from cold.
Derek instantly removed his gloves and assigned them to the boy. I know they’re too big for you, buddy, but they’ll keep you warm. Lost your gloves?”
The boy shook his head. “Mom and dad stated they’re broke. They promised to get new ones next month. My old ones are ripped.”
Derek felt bad for the youngster. “Oh, that’s not a problem, kid,” he said. “I have this friend at the clothing store, and he creates the nicest gloves! I’ll get you one after school, ok? Now, come on, you’re going to be late for class…”
The child wiped his eyes, thanked Derek, and proceeded to class. He had no idea Derek lied about having a clothing store friend.
Derek skipped coffee that day. Instead, he walked to a local store and spent his last dollar on a pair of gloves and a scarf for the youngster. He expected his payment in a few days, so he didn’t mind.
Derek gave the boy the gloves and scarf before he left the bus.
“These will keep you warm,” he continued. “Don’t trouble your parents about it, ok?”
Derek went emotional as the boy hugged him goodbye before leaving the bus. He had no idea this kindness would return.
A few days later, Derek was abruptly summoned to the principal’s office.
“Did you call me for a meeting, Mr. Butler?” he knocked on the principal’s door.
Mr. Butler smiled. Derek, please sit. We must talk.”
Derek’s heart jumped. He believed he was in trouble, but Mr. Butler’s words made him cry happily.
Sir, this wasn’t necessary. Good Lord, thank you very much!”
“You earned it, Derek!” cried Mr. Butler. “We felt driven to do something after learning of your aid to Aiden and his family. His father is a firefighter who was severely injured, thus they are currently struggling. Helping him was great. The youngster and his family value it. Regarding that box…
Two days before, Derek dropped a package at the school’s front gate. With a poster reading “If you feel cold, get something for yourself from here,” it held gloves and scarves. I’d appreciate it. – Derek, the school bus driver.”
Derek couldn’t sleep the night after assisting Aiden, wondering about other youngsters in similar situations. He bought more scarves and gloves after getting paid, filled a box, and left it at school.
Derek was praised by the principal, parents, and the school as a whole. Soon, his pay rose. Not everything stopped there.
A fund was created by the school to help low-income youngsters. Luckily, gloves, a scarf, and a bus driver’s kindness enabled the fantastic endeavor.
What can this story teach us?
Kindness breeds kindness and occasionally love. Derek cared for the bus kids like his own and assisted a boy. Kindness and affection returned to him.
Help someone—you won’t regret it. Derek bought Aiden and the other kids scarves and gloves with his own money. For that, he gave up coffee. Love and respect came from his sacrifice.
Tell your friends about this. It may inspire and cheer them up.