A Stolen Watch, a Paper Bag, and a Teacher’s Lesson in Compassion

In a classroom brimming with the day’s usual hustle, an unsettling discovery was made—a student’s watch had vanished. As whispers swirled among the desks, a consensus formed: the culprit was surely among them, a fellow classmate. The tension escalated, and each student inwardly prepared to confront the thief, awaiting the teacher’s intervention with bated breath. ...

Mikel Davis

A school teacher's desk with a stack of books, colored pencils, and a green apple.

Promissory Note of Compassion: How a Teacher’s Kindness Rewrote Two Lives

My mother was a high school teacher, known for her stern lectures in class or her serious demeanor when imparting wisdom. Not only were her students intimidated by her, even the parents feared her as well. It was 15 years ago. Just before the Lunar New Year, due to financial difficulties at home, my mother ...

Max Lu

Wooden blocks with the words 'promissory note.'

The Power of Compassion: A Lesson from the Heart of Moscow

In the winter of 1944, amid the ravages of war, an extraordinary event unfolded on Moscow’s streets. The scene encapsulated the essence of human compassion and the transformative power of love over hatred. This story, recorded by the renowned Soviet author Vadim Evtushenko in his work Autobiography, Written in Advance, offers a profound lesson, especially ...

Max Lu

German prisoners of war paraded in Moscow.

The Legacy of Compassion: The Pfrang Association Story

In the quiet of midnight on April 1, 2000, a tragedy unfolded in the upscale villa district of Nanjing, China. This tragedy later gave rise to an extraordinary tale of compassion and humanity with the formation of the Pfrang Association. A night of horror Four unemployed young men, armed with knives and seeking to commit ...

Max Lu

The Pfrang Association.

The Virtue of Silence: The Tale of a Compassionate Healer

In the annals of Qing Dynasty lore, the story of Wei Lianfang’s father stands out as a beacon of compassion and medical expertise. A physician of great virtue, he treated all who sought his help with unwavering dedication, regardless of their financial status. His generosity knew no bounds; for those too impoverished to afford treatment, ...

Max Lu

Blocks spelling out the word 'silence.'

A Tale of Compassion and Connection: The Unconventional Family 

The fabric of family is woven with threads of love, compassion, and understanding. This is a tale of an ordinary man who became an extraordinary part of a family and how his presence transformed their lives. This story revolves around a retired worker, a widowed mother, and her son, who create a beautiful family tapestry ...

Max Lu

Closeup of the hands of a man and woman who are reaching out to each other.

Courage and Compassion: The Story of Chiune Sugihara, Japan’s Schindler

During times of global conflict and despair, stories of extraordinary human courage echo throughout history. One such tale is that of Chiune Sugihara, a Japanese diplomat whose moral conviction led him to defy orders and save thousands of Jewish lives during World War II. This article is dedicated to retracing the steps of “Japan’s Schindler,” ...

Max Lu

Chiune Sugihara.

‘Les Miserables’ Lessons of Generosity and Compassion 200 Years Later

Les Miserables is a timeless masterpiece by Victor Hugo. Its memorable characters, powerful storytelling, and relatable exploration of the human condition have captivated audiences for generations.  Many themes form the core of the Les Miserables novel, musicals, and several stage and movie adaptations. But none is more resonant than the theme of human dignity and ...

Nathan Machoka

Jean Valjean.