This short story was written for the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals “Good People, Good Deeds: English Writing Competition 2023-24. This year’s theme was “Good People, Good Deeds”. Students wrote stories about kindness, helping strangers and/or friends.

Ethan, a boy that has a big nose and small eyes. His forehead has lots of wrinkles. One day, the sun shone brightly on the street. Ethan walked down the lonely street angrily because he lost his job as a policeman because he forgot to get up from bed. “Darn!I should have set my alarm clock!” He thought.

He saw an old lady who wanted to cross the road, but her leg was injured, so she couldn't walk properly. She looked at Ethan hopelessly, helplessly, her eyes sparkled, hoping he would help her. Ethan didn’t notice the old lady, because he lost his job, and he didn't want to help people at the moment.

Then, the old lady held her hand tightly on Ethan, he tried to shake off, but he couldn't. Ethan impatiently stomped his feet. When the green light was on, the old lady walked as sluggish as a snail. Ethan frowned, looking furious than ever that he wanted to bite the old woman.

Suddenly, the traffic light turned red, then a car zoomed towards them quickly. Ethan saw that, too. He screamed and his heart jumped out of his body. Ethan quickly called the car to stop, so he put his hand up. Luckily, the car stopped. Ethan was relieved.

The old lady smiled at him. ”Thank you, I could have died if you weren't here to help me.” Ethan smiled back. This was his first time smiling. He learned that helping people is a joyful thing.

An Act of Kindness (TWGH 2023-24)