A Ripple of Kindness

Willow Creek was bone chillingly cold on that particular autumn Friday afternoon. Golden and red leaves lay all over the roads and danced wildly with the wind. And while everyone in the community busied themselves getting ready for the winter, many were back and forth with supplies from the market. Daniel was one such figure in the town whom many would have considered to be an average young man but who was just about to begin an adventure that would be for the better, the lives of many people, at least in this town.

Daniel is 25 year old college graduate who had come back home to Willow creek after living in the city for many years. It was a place that he had always called home since it was where he had been raised a small town with very tight knit relationship since everybody knew one another. Although he followed in the footsteps of many of his classmates and moved to the city, he found himself most at ease in Willow creek. The residents’ impression on the town was pleasant and simple. People’s dreams, however, did not seem to take off all the time. And so was the case with quite a good number of his friends who had left in search for greener pastures. Not Daniel though, not because he wanted to but because he felt there was more to his home town than what met the eyes.

As Daniel's feet took him home, his thoughts wondered back to what had been bothering him for so long. That image of a community terribly disoriented, the people going through and out of it like zombies, their eyes vacant blank slates. Just inertia of existing. There has to be something more, something in being able to contribute.

And it was therefore that as he passed the town’s several larps park, he caught sight of Mrs. Jenkins. She was one of those old ladies who lived in Willow Creek since time immemorial and was well known for her kindness as well as for her delicious homemade pies. However, this time around, the woman who was always the joy of everyone’s eyes didn’t seem spry at all. This time she was sitting on a bench with her shoulders hunched over and an expression on her face that was so full of distress.

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Worried, Daniel came to her. “Mrs. Jenkins, are you alright?”

She raised her head in obvious surprise but quickly managed to smile weakly at him. “Oh, Daniel. There’s nothing much. I guess it’s just the problems of growing old.”

Now, Daniel was not so easily convinced. He had come to know all his life Mrs. Jenkins as a most lively person, never complaining about anything. “You are not who I remember. You seem out of sorts. How may I help to alleviate this?”

After a moment’s pause, Mrs. Jenkins let out a moist breath. “It’s just … I’m a bit stressed. My house has leaks, and with the winter approaching, it is only going to get worse. I do not have the money to repair it, and I do not want to trouble anyone.”

Daniel felt a ton of bricks hit his stomach. Mrs. Jenkins had been living ith the families as far back as he can remember. She was one of those parents who looked after him and other neighborhood children when their mothers were at work. The lady was now the one for the want and no effort however keen was made to ascertain that need or want.

“Don’t worry about the roof, Mrs. Howland. I will see to it,” he continued without a break.

Mrs. Howland turned her head towards him, looking faint with a gasped look on her face. “Oh Daniel, I wouldn’t feel right making you do that.”

“Of course you haven’t asked,” he said grinning as always. “I am.”

Though it was apparent to him that there was no need of a convincing, Daniel was not a carpenter. He hardly knew a thing about climbing up the roof to make it better. But that was not going to be his excuse. He thought there are lots of people who lived in the town who would be more than willing to help, and if not, then he could teach himself. After all, what was so difficult about it?

That evening, Daniel did a little bit of reconnaissance. He called a few of his old friends who indeed still lived in Willow Creek and asked them if they would help Mrs. Jenkins repair the roof. He was astonished at how fast the news traveled within the community – by the next morning half the town already seemed to be in on it.

The people on Mrs. Jenkins’ doorstep had not only volunteered their time but also brought in tools and materials that would be necessary for the work. Some people provided food and hot coffee to warm the volunteers up. Other’s by virtue of being unable to help out with physical labor pledged their support to the degree of whatever they had to contribute to the repair.

As the sun began to set, so did the atmosphere in town. It is due to the fact that kindness evolved from its simplest point to greater heights. People were rejoicing, exchanging accounts, and going back to each other. This was for most of them the first time in years they worked together as one unit.

By lunch, the roof was in the same condition as it had been from the first day, and Mrs. Jenkins was still thanking people for their help. When Mrs. Jenkins looked to the other side, what made Daniel feel thankful to her was not the smile of the woman’s face and the joy in her eyes. It was the fact that now there was a new link between kindness and those who had performed it. People who hadn’t talked to each other for the longest time were discussing over coffee as to when they should get together. People were getting in touch with their old friends and the quiet town that felt a little out of place was alive once more.

As Daniel moved one-step back and caught the eye of the action in front of him, something struck him. He realized that there had been a consistent desire to do something that matters. And it turned out that the whole thing is simply one little act, one good deed that can lead to something deeper.

That evening, Lydia finished her work and everybody had gone home after which Lydia asked Daniel in for tea. At her table, she said the following words: “You know, Daniel, I have been living in this town for ages and have witnessed so many things. But today’s event was unique in its way. You united everyone in this town.” Daniel too smiled and was feeling a sweet heat inside his chest which he never anticipated. “I can’t take all the credit for it,” he told them. “Everyone had the same agenda and it was simply to help you, Mrs. Jenkins. And I believe they came to the conclusion that they also care for one another.” She was silent and her gaze was grateful. “The fact that you began it all is something that great is also a cause for. However.” That night on his way home, Daniel had a lot to think of including the events of that day. It was not about replacing her roof: it was about a roof – of the community – and people helping each other. He started to see that generosity were sometimes seen more impressive without the need to perform any extreme actions at all. It is the little ones that do that get people moving.

In the days that followed, it looked as if it was the town of Willow Creek that was undergoing a metamorphosis. The excitement which had been generated by the roof repair work was beginning to expand. People started holding more events for the community which included potlucks and clean up days at the park, and even a holiday toy drive for the needy. The town has ceased to feel like it was getting rather progressively more apart, it has felt like it was all coming together.

Even though he remained tongue tied about how things changed, Daniel emerged to be some sort of local celebrity. People would cross the streets from wherever they were to express their gratitude to him, not because he helped Mrs. Jenkins, but for the reason that he made them proud to be part of the community. He felt awkward because of such focus on him, but at the same time he understood that the real heroes were those ordinary people who acted that day.

As winter came and sleep fell upon the town, the first snow hitting it Daniel’s thoughts went further. It was the good deed that one of them did that initiated this journey. All along, he used to think all these changes could only be affected if one did something bigger and out of the ordinary. Yet now he saw that even the smallest deed, everyday behavior of caring and kindness can bring significant improvements.

It was an ordinary day, when he was strolling in the park, he noticed a group of kids giggling and having fun, as they played in the snow. In the group was Mrs. Jenkins seated on a bench, and clearly enjoying the activity. She waved at Daniel and he did the same, his heart full.

It was then that Daniel understood how a single good deed has a much greater influence than what he had previously thought. It was not only about replacing the roof it wasn't only about aiding one particular person- it was about a positive chain reaction that would go way beyond that one single act. It was about getting others to healthy street fighting rats even for their gentle animals and neighbors.

And with that, ‘Willow Creek’ transformed from a tale of despair into a tale of promises, togetherness, and the strength of giving. As far as old and younger people are concerned, this was one such story which left them all in no one quite alarming and rather dysfunctional societies where mankind does leave room for benefits from their brethren which all begins by one act to another. And it begins with one simple act of kindness.

For his part, Daniel remained in Willow Creek and as always, did not ask for any recognition of his deeds, and was always ready to help. This was because he had understood that the best gift when you do good is neither the applause nor the thanks but the realization that you’ve actually improved the world, even just for a small particle, through kindness over time and history.