Cool little stories on hot sunny days

On hot sunny days in Ho Chi Minh City, there are small stories in the middle of the city that pass by in a moment but are like a shower of rain that cools people's hearts.

Every time they went to receive rice, the old couple held hands, asked about each other, wished each other good health, making everyone feel like they were the ones receiving rather than the ones giving - Photo: NGOC AN

Small stories about a free rice distribution session on a small street in Binh Tho ward, Thu Duc city, Ho Chi Minh city.

I agree with you…

That's what the owner of the cheap restaurant replied when I suggested that I would periodically give charity rice next to her restaurant.

Thinking that distributing rice like that would attract some of her customers: motorbike taxi drivers - workers - lottery ticket sellers in the area... so I boldly texted her, through the phone number on the sign:

The cute text message made many people feel happy - Screenshot

"Yes, tomorrow Saturday I have a program to give rice to the people. I will do it two days a month, every other Saturday at noon. I have two locations, one at the restaurant, one at the welfare center on Vo Van Ngan street.

So it will probably affect your shop more or less. But I think only people who are in difficulty will come. So I will talk to you and apologize in advance if there is any impact.

I hope you are happy so we can progress together.

Her answer made me feel both relieved and a little embarrassed:

"Your intention to do good deeds is very good, I agree with you, I will rejoice in your blessings."

Before that, I had imagined a very complicated scenario of discord…

And just a few short sentences from her dispelled the doubts that had been forming in my heart for some unknown time.

From 3am Hao came to the cooking station to help wash vegetables - Photo: NGOC AN

Dad remember to wake me up!

Those were the words of Hao, seventeen years old. Normally he sleeps in, but every Saturday he comes to the cooking station at 3am to help out.

He "jumps in" to do everything even though he doesn't lift a finger at home: from washing rice, picking vegetables to dividing food into boxes.

Then the neighbors and people who asked were shocked: no one knew each other. It turned out that at first they were strangers but later they became friends. Each person came and helped out, and finished 300 portions of rice with laughter as if they had known each other for a long time.

There was a woman who didn't give her name, she just said: I'm a newly retired civil servant, don't know what to do, come help us.

Some of you are hesitant: you sell lottery tickets, but it's embarrassing to keep asking for them, so you should help us a little...

An old lady who buys scrap metal folded her arms and bowed deeply to thank her when receiving the gift. Around her were the security guard and the barber who treated her with equal care when giving her a portion of rice and a bottle of balm - Photo: NGOC AN

Yes, ma'am, thank you very much...

On the other side of the street, an old woman collecting scrap metal was fidgeting, trying to push her rickety bicycle across the street to get some rice. Seeing this, the barber shop owner hurriedly came out to ask her how she was doing, then gave her a bottle of balm.

People brought her food across the street. She put the food on the cart, folded her arms, bowed her head: "Yes, ma'am, I am grateful to you…".

The bowing of an old woman over 70 years old with folded arms suddenly blurred many people's eyes.

Not sure if it was because of the noonday sun or because it had been a long time since people heard such honest and straightforward yes and no in the middle of a noisy street.

Her bowed head and folded arms made it obvious that she was the one giving.

She has helped people find faith, see the strength of neighborhood ties, and support each other in difficult times.

And people's hearts seem cooler even though the sun is hot outside.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nhung-cau-chuyen-nho-mat-dieu-ngay-nang-gat-20250317103224591.htm