A very touching true story

[paint dot mike]

This is a true story that was read to me in class the other day because bullying is a issue that is being delt with around my area right now so i thought i'd share it with you:

Just a heads up this made my teacher and many others in my class to tear up...

One day, when I was a freshman in high school,

I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school.

His name was Kyle.

It looked like he was carrying all of his books.

I thought to myself, "Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday?

He must really be a nerd."

I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.

As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him.

They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt.

His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him.

He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes

My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye.

As I handed him his glasses, I said, "Those guys are jerks. "

They really should get lives.

" He looked at me and said, "Hey thanks!"

There was a big smile on his face.

It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.

I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived.

As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before.

He said he had gone to private school before now.

I would have never hung out with a private school kid before.

We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books.

He turned out to be a pretty cool kid.

I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with my friends

He said yes.

We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and my friends thought the same of him.

Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again.

I stopped him and said, "Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!

" He just laughed and handed me half the books.

Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends.

When we were seniors we began to think about college.

Kyle decided on Georgetown and I was going to Duke.

I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem.

He was going to be a doctor and I was going for business on a football scholarship.

Kyle was valedictorian of our class.

I teased him all the time about being a nerd.

He had to prepare a speech for graduation.

I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak

Graduation day, I saw Kyle.

He looked great.

He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school.

He filled out and actually looked good in glasses.

He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him.

Boy, sometimes I was jealous!

Today was one of those days.

I could see that he was nervous about his speech.

So, I smacked him on the back and said, "Hey, big guy, you'll be great!"

He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled.

" Thanks," he said.

As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began

"Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years.

Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach...but mostly your friends...

I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them.

I am going to tell you a story."

I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met.

He had planned to kill himself over the weekend.

He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home.

He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile.

"Thankfully, I was saved.

My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable."

I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment.

I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile.

Not until that moment did I realize it's depth.

Never underestimate the power of your actions.

With one small gesture you can change a person's life.

For better or for worse.

God puts us all in each others lives to impact one another in some way.

Look for God in others.

Edited October 20, 2010 by paint dot mike

[Kemaru]

A very touching story indeed, paint dot mike, thank you for sharing.

I disagree with the last two lines.

[paint dot mike]

yeah the last two lines some people see differently it all depends i guess

[Stone85]

wow.

thanks for posting mike, that was very touching indeed.

[Frontcannon]

[must not read unformatted text]

[chrisco97]

That was a nice story...thanks a lot for sharing. I was in tears. I hate seeing people get tears in their eyes because they are not like the others...thanks again, it really touched me.

And I REALLY agree with the last 2 lines. They are so true. My life can prove it.

[St1cki3]

Nice, my school is doing the same thing, except with a thing called "Rachel's Challenge". And as I looked around the gym, I saw crowds of people tearing up, I didn't realize people in my school were that human. But after that the people in my class were mocking it, so yeah...didn't last long. Heck, some people even think it's a conspiracy by both the speakers and the district to profit the speakers. How? By compelling you to buy their $1 pencils...Sheesh people. But thanks for this story, how were you changed by it paint dot mike?

[csm725]

Agree with everything but the last two lines, really shaming an otherwise wonderful story.

[Zwicky]

Wonderful story, inclusive of the last two lines. The lines in question don't ruin it, they remind of a truth many do not wish to face or accept.

[Heat Stroke]

That really is a great story. I wish i was told this when i was in school.

as for the last two lines: its a matter of opinion that probably depends on your religious beliefs.

again, thanks for shading!

[csm725]

I just don't think you can connect every story to belief in an almighty religious being. It is a wonderful story with a moral, and I think the moral is not related to religion.

[j.d.melek]

wonderful..and sad..at the same time..people can be so cruel sometimes and never stop to consider the consequences of their actions..

as for the last two lines..(for me anyhow!)..are very powerful words that fit very well with the conclusion of the story..

thanks for sharing this with us.

regards j.d.

[chrisco97]

Well, I agree with them. I think they connect with the story. I hope people don't hate me for this. But I love the Lord and it my life is a perfect example of the last two lines. But let's not argue about it.

[HELEN]

I remember my principal in middle school telling us this story, or it might've been different. And like Chrisco, the last two lines are the most powerful words for me.

[supersoni183]

This is a touching story. The only down side is that people are scoffing at the 'religious' part of it. Come on, those thing don't really need to be posted. Regarding the story, this is very touching and there are always ways that good will put someone there to save people. God is very powerful and he has saved so many people through acts like this. I may not be very religious but he is there I acknowledge that in my life everyday.

[pyrochild]

This sort of thing is just begging to -- in the best case -- alienate members, and in the worst case start a flame war.

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