READ >> SELF >> OTHERS >> NATURE

DAN FRITZ
Massachusetts

I was once audience to someone's story of compassion; and that story, in turn, inspired me to act with similar compassion toward someone in need.
I read a classmate's simple narrative of helping a homeless man; helping not only by giving him a meal, but also by talking to him with genuine care. That example from my peer informed my conscience more than any other kind of argument could have.
One winter night, a woman approached me for help. I was almost too cold that night to stop and listen to her. But what sense does that make? She would be no less cold if I were to ignore her and drive away in comfort. So I thought I would listen and see what I could do.
For one reason or another, this woman was stranded, and I felt like I understood her fear and loneliness. If I ever felt that alone, I would just want someone to care that I existed. And if I were that cold, I would be comforted if someone took my hands and warmed them the way my mom used to do for me. So I put my arms around this woman to show her I cared and I held her hands, trying to give them some warmth.
I went with her to a sandwich shop that was still open and bought her a sandwich so she could wait someplace warm for the bus.
It was just so natural. I knew how she must have felt. So I couldn't just leave her in that kind of state.
The most important thing, though, was that the choice to act that way came from hearing about similar actions someone I knew took. Otherwise, it might have been easy to ignore her.