I have written on this topic before but I like it.

I had dinner with a good friend last Friday night. We were catching up on her recent family vacation. The vacation, a cruise through the Caribbean, was for a special occasion and had been long in planning with much family anticipation.

One particular excursion was to be the highlight of the trip. It needed two steps – first, a taxi ride across the island and then heading out to another part of the island. At the end of the trip, I am told, was paradise.

But there was a small problem. Upon arrival at the final leg, my friend realized that she did not have enough money with her. She had underestimated the cost of the taxi and now the family was stuck – a few inches from their destination but without enough money to get there.

After multiple gyrations, some locals sent the family over to Western Union with the thought that they could have money wired to them. Sadly, when they arrived, the very nice woman behind the counter advised that much as she would like to, there was no way to get the transfer done.

OK, I am getting to the best part of the story.

Picture the scene – mom feels terrible, kids are unhappy, the part of the trip they had talked about for months was about to evaporate. Good Samaritan to the rescue! The nice woman behind the counter digs into her own wallet – takes out $100 and hands it to the family. Pay it back when you get home, she says.

One of those lessons you hope to teach your children but here an opportunity to show real kindness in action.