Photo Credit: emilysquotes.com
It was during one of those spells of fuel scarcity that has become a staple of Nigeria. The few fuel stations that were selling the product had their shenanigans in full swing. Either they were selling above the stipulated pump price of premium motor spirit or collecting a fee before they would even commence dispensing fuel into one’s car or keg. The supposed government owned NNPC fuel station in my area decided to get into the game in a different way. Since they could not increase their prices outright or be seen to be demanding a fee before selling petrol like most of the other privately owned gas stations, they devised their own method which was to compel vehicle owners to buy engine oil before they could sell fuel to them.
On this particular day, I was desperate to get the product, and so when I eventually pulled up by the meter and was informed of the condition to get petrol sold to me, I was upset but grudgingly accepted to pay the N600 (or was it N700?) for the engine oil which I figured would be useful even though I used a different product for my car. I got home, dropped the keg of oil somewhere, and forgot all about it. A few days later, as I was walking past the shelf where I kept the keg of oil, my eye caught the details of the information on it, and that was when I found out that it was a motorcycle engine oil and not for cars! Naturally, I was upset and believed I had been swindled of N600. The snag was that a few days had gone by already, the fuel station in question didn’t even open everyday during that period, and even if they were open, there was sure to be a crowd there, coupled with the fact that I couldn’t really remember who sold the product to me anymore, and so returning it was not an option. Again I dropped it on the shelf and forgot all about it since it was useless to me.
I had always wanted to carry out a random act of kindness. Not that I am not usually kind to people, but I discovered that most of what could be considered kind acts I have done was for people I knew one way or the other. Either they were friends, colleagues or family members. By random act of kindness, I don’t mean the occasional loose change given to beggars or someone who asks for help. I am talking about surprising a stranger (or acquaintance) by doing something good for them out of the blue. Someone who didn’t ask for help but can sure use it. Someone whom you are almost certain you would never see again. And so, on this morning, I made up my mind to carry out a random act of kindness, but hadn’t figured out how to go about it. Then, I walked past that shelf where I had the engine oil again, by this time, it was several weeks or even months after I bought it and I had completely forgotten about it. And then it occurred to me -I could give my little keg of motorcycle engine oil to a random bike (Okada) rider! Why hadn’t I thought of that earlier?
So, I picked it up, and on my way to work, sought out a random motorcycle rider, and presented my little gift to him. I will never forget the look on his face, or the smile and prayer he said for me that day! Trust me, moments like that are what we live for as human beings. The joy that wells up in one’s heart after carrying out such an act (as insignificant as it may seem) is indescribable and unquantifiable. Needless to say I had a spring in my step throughout that day. Nothing could have dampened my mood. I made a stranger smile and that was good enough for me. Now, this came at a cost of a paltry N600 which is not nearly enough to buy chicken and chips at KFC or even a cup of Coldstone ice-cream.
It is a pointer to the fact that a random act of kindness is not in the big things but in the little things. Being kind to other people doesn’t have to cost us an arm and a leg. It’s more about doing it for the right reasons. Oftentimes, we tend to be kind to people we are familiar with because subconsciously, we know that they would almost always do the same for us. And even if they didn’t or wouldn’t, we want to feel good about ourselves and be able to have “ammunition in our armory” about what we have done for them when the relationship goes south. With a stranger it is entirely different. You are not likely to see the person again. You are not doing it because you are expecting something in return, and you are sure to get a genuine response from them too!
I tell anyone who cares to listen that the greatest fulfillment I have from my writing career so far is the positive feedback I have gotten from total strangers (some of whom have become friends) via the emails they send to me appreciating my work. They have no idea how far their words have helped and encouraged me when I have been down or doubted myself. That is their random act of kindness to me – a little known writer, and I will always be grateful to them, while certainly not discountenancing the help and encouragement of my family and friends too.
I am already thinking about my next random act of kindness to a total stranger. You should try it too…a kind word here…a warm hug there…a little gift. It all adds up in creating a better world for all of us.
Wow,its good to be kind. Expecially when nothing is expected in return.
I feel the reason why people shy away from Random giving is to avoid being seen as an Atm machine by opportunist or evil people using what they had given against them.
I made up my mind to celebrate my son’s 2nd birthday in an Orphanage home close to my house. It was the best celebration ever. Seeing the children very happy,melted my heart. The few minutes spent there was amazing and I will repeat it as long as God blesses n keeps me strong and healthy.
It pays to be kind.
weldone Lolo
Ng Anwuli
That’s what I’m talking about. An unforced, deliberate act to do good to someone who isn’t in a position to repay. Thanks dear.
It’s very unfortunate that as Nigerians showing a kind act is a difficulty but we are content about ourselves. I met a random baby in UCH who was diagnosed with hydrocephalus and needed surgeryt to correct it. I was moved an tried to encourage the mother to be strong. I decided to pay a visit to the ward of the child one day and came along with Cerelac and Ribena. You can’t image the volume of prayers she prayed for me that day. Few days later, I got a phone call from the baby’s father and he started showering his prayers too on me. In my mind I’m like what I gave wasn’t up to a thousand Naira and I get this heavy prayer rain as if I just gave a million Naira. I then realized that extending a hand of care and concern was a blessing to them. The baby died about a year later before he turned two but I still make it a point of duty to send motivating texts to the mother and of course the prayer rain doesn’t stop pouring on my head.
Awwww. Your gesture towards that family is so inspiring. It has certainly inspired me to do more for others, and I am saying thank you on their behalf too.
God bless you for this article, we need to enlighten others about the need to be kind towards one another. People are generally wicked and self centered, they like to amass wealth without caring about the other person’s dilemma. The way they spend huge amount on wedding and funerals is alarming. You can’t just imagine the level of poverty in the land, most people cannot afford three square meals, a day, while some people spend their money on frivolous things, if they only know that all these things are vanity. We should able to assist one another, a random act of kindness goes a long way, we should also learn to put a smile on another person’s face. We would make the world a better place if we imbibe the habit of being kind, moreover, our heavenly Father will bless us more.
You’re very right on all fronts. We have no idea how our disposition towards others goes a long way in determining how they feel. Let’s hope this piece nudges us all in the right direction. Thanks Mayowa.
Very inspiring article, a food for thought. Left me thinking when last I carried out a random act of kindness. I guess I hv this year. Yes I hv but it wasn’t to a complete stranger.I will surely try that.
Thanks lolade .
Way to go! Thanks Bibi.
Kindness of the random kind ! Beats all. In Lagos ? Hmm. Lagosians have very suspicious natures. The enviromental hazard of living in it I guess. Works better if they know you. Else they will simply thank you and when your back is turned they throw away the gift.
Hello Linda! Good to have you here and thanks so much for dropping your comments. The last part about throwing the gift away got me laughing, but honestly I don’t think it’s that bad. In any case whether it doesn’t have to be a gift. It could be a kind word. But even if it were a gift, it really doesn’t matter what the person does with it afterwards, you would have done your own part by extending kindness.