In Such Poor Health I Was Unable to Walk As a Stranger Essentially Lifted Me to the Toilets.

At the age of 19 years old, my morning travel meant taking an express bus. The vehicle was always full and would always be without any seats when I stepped aboard.

On one specific day, I began feeling quite nauseous as the bus lurched around every turn. I continuously reassured myself to endure just a little longer so the bus could reached where I needed to get off, at which point I could sprint quickly toward the most convenient public restroom to throw up.

We were coming down the street towards the destination as it dawned on me I would not be to last. Suddenly, it seemed a curtain fell over me. My vision turned blank and silent; like someone had turned off the audio. I said to myself, “I’m going to faint”.

Thankfully, I was positioned near the front of the bus, allowing me to take several steps toward the driver and requested that the driver to pull over, informing him I needed to get ill. He promptly opened the doors and I hurriedly stepped onto the sidewalk.

My intention was to avoid being sick in front of multiple lanes of cars, so I gathered myself and began attempting to stumble toward the green space on the other side, where I believed it would allow me to discreetly hide among some shrubs to throw up. Yet I apparently blacked out. I could feel my body but I was unable to walk and my vision was blurry, leading me to start inching my way to the park.

“Are you okay, dear?”

At that moment, someone picked me up. There was a strong arm supporting me and a stranger inquired, “You right, love?” I told this mysterious stranger that I needed to get to a bathroom. So he virtually helped me walk down into a close-by structure and put me in the ladies’ toilets. He inquired whether I required him to remain with me but I refused.

After a short while, I regained my composure to the point of sitting down and from outside the door I heard his voice asking, “Are you feeling better, dear? Is there anything you require?” I was incapable to stand up right away but did manage to say thank you and following a brief period regained the function of my feet. I returned home and spent several days healing from which was a severe stomach virus.

I did not see his features – merely his legs along with a sizable container for tools he held – but he helped me, when I was completely helpless.

Frequently, society tends to make people defensive, aggressive and competitive. His was the sort of gesture that undoes that hardening of the heart. He served as evidence that humanity’s innate tendency is towards kindness, a quality I adore in other people.