essay write about your experience being helped by a stranger

8 Feel-Good Stories Of Strangers Helping Someone They Didn't Know

Senior Life Editor, HuffPost

essay write about your experience being helped by a stranger

Sometimes the person you need most in a trying moment isn’t a person you know at all.

A few months ago, we asked readers to share experiences in which a complete stranger went out of their way to help. The ongoing project, called The Good Kind , seeks to highlight the unexpected kindness that people have received from someone they didn’t know. These stories range from simple acts that brightened a person’s day to grand gestures that changed a person’s life.

Below is just a selection of the hundreds of submissions we’ve received so far. Read on about the good kind of strangers in this world.

“I shared with her that I was a cancer survivor and the two of us ― complete strangers ― shared a hug and some tears.”

A few years ago, I was circling the block to find a parking space so I could get a cup of coffee. A woman walking by flagged me down and said she would go in and get me the coffee if I gave her my order. While she was inside, a spot opened up and I was waiting by my car when she exited. I thanked her when she came out and went to hand her money. She said the coffee was on her. She went on to explain that she had metastatic cancer and with the time she had left, she wanted to do as many good deeds as possible. I shared with her that I was a cancer survivor and the two of us ― complete strangers ― shared a hug and some tears. She asked me to pay it forward as often as possible, and ever since that day I make sure to do random acts of kindness for others as often as I can. ―Sara Marsi, Providence, Rhode Island

“When they headed to pay their bill, they were told that a guest had already paid and wanted to be anonymous.”

It was in a restaurant in downtown Chicago in the mid-sixties. I was sitting across from a table of ten or twelve soldiers. When they headed to pay their bill, they were told that a guest had already paid and wanted to be anonymous. The soldiers look around the restaurant searching for the benefactor and said, “Whoever you are, thank you.” They were the ones who deserved the thanks. I’ve never forgotten that moment of grace. Made me aware of the impact of acts of kindness with no need for recognition. ―Mike Grunsten, Chicago

“He drove out of the way for me, dropped me off, made sure I got into my car at the station safely and refused gas money.”

About 20 years ago, a man named John drove me home from the train station in the middle of the night. I had fallen asleep and missed my stop and landed up two towns down the line. This was before Uber and there were no taxis available. My husband was asleep so he didn’t pick up. I was all alone, shivering in the cold, and John asked me if I needed a ride. Naturally, I was hesitant but I surmised quickly that if he were a serial killer, stumbling onto me, his next victim, was an unusual stroke of luck. He drove out of the way for me, dropped me off, made sure I got into my car at the station safely and refused gas money. I will always be grateful to him and think of him every now and again. ―Peggy Buck, Wheaton, Illinois

“I had so much fun ice skating for the first time and have never forgotten that kind man.”

We were very poor growing up and couldn’t afford very many special outings. We were out somewhere when I was about 7 or so and there was a makeshift ice skating rink there. Growing up in New Zealand, we don’t get ice and snow so this was the first time I’d ever seen anything like that. I thought it was amazing. I knew there was no point in asking my parents if I could go skating as we just wouldn’t be able to afford it, so I just watched longingly from the side at people having fun. The man running the rink must of felt sorry for me or something and asked if I wanted a go. I said I couldn’t as I didn’t have any money, but he said it was OK. I had so much fun ice skating for the first time and have never forgotten that kind man or the chance to experience something new and exciting. ―Shelene Crane, Auckland, New Zealand

“I looked up to see a fellow commuter not only shoveling my car out, but offering me his snow brush to clear off my windows.”

I had recently moved to Boston from Florida. I take the commuter rail into the city, and one stormy winter’s day the train was delayed for hours. People were cold, wet, tired and grumpy. When I finally made it to my car, well after dark, I found it covered with snow and blocked by a two-and-a-half-foot wall of snow from a plow. Without a shovel and feeling frustrated and teary-eyed, I searched my car for a makeshift tool. I had to resort to using my hands to clear the snow. We New Englanders have a reputation of being “cold” and I dreaded asking someone to lend me something, further delaying their journey home. After making a couple of passes with my arms and hands to clear the snow off my car, I looked up to see a fellow commuter not only shoveling my car out, but offering me his snow brush to clear off my windows. I couldn’t thank that man enough! We made fairly quick work of digging my car out and we both went our separate ways. On my way home, I cried like a baby from happiness and the unexpected kindness bestowed upon me. ―L. Lou Dan, Boston

“I received an anonymous check for $200 to help with groceries. I don’t know her name but that woman saved us.”

I was pregnant at my job, a high-volume, low-cost vet clinic. I worked in surgery, eventually couldn’t do the physical labor, and my job’s HR department refused to help find me placement or help accommodate me. They effectively let me go, and not having protection or means (my husband stayed home to care for our special needs daughter), I applied for unemployment. They actually FOUGHT me on it and I was so fortunate to have a compassionate case worker to help with my claim. The second time around, my assessor listened to me bawling, pregnant and scared trying to figure stuff out. A week after I spoke to that woman, I received an anonymous check for $200 to help with groceries. I don’t know her name but that woman saved us. If you’re reading this, know you fed my family, helped take some bills off our plate and made a lasting impression for life. ―Teresa Banks, Chicago

“She took us to her own home and we were welcomed as precious guests by her large family. They insisted that we stay the night with them.”

After hiking to an obscure waterfall for a few hours of our weeklong backpacking vacation, we returned to our car to find that it had been broken into, belongings gone. We had our plane tickets, ID, and the keys to the car. No cash, no clothes, no wallets. We drove to the nearest town and asked if there was a police station where we could report the theft. The officer on duty was a native Hawaiian woman who was very sympathetic, took our information and then invited us to have dinner with her. At the end of her shift, she took us to her own home and we were welcomed as precious guests by her large family. They insisted that we stay the night with them. The next morning, our angel police officer took us to the office of a local lawyer who managed an emergency fund for locals fallen on hard times. He suggested we borrow some money from this fund to get us home and pay it back when we could. After filling out some paperwork, we had enough cash to survive and an invitation to have lunch with the lawyer. This experience, which could have been a disaster for us, ended up being the highlight of the trip, and I will never forget the kindness and generosity of this small community. ―Carolyn Reynolds, Maui, Hawaii

“I was the recipient of a kidney from an altruistic donor, an event that significantly changed my life.”

I was the recipient of a kidney from an altruistic donor, an event that significantly changed my life. Because of my age at 74, I had not considered that a transplant would be an option for me. Candy, my altruistic donor, and I met in pre-op on the morning of the surgery, and only then did we discover that we are both educators. She was a third grade teacher and former teacher of the year, and I was a teacher in North Carolina. My daughter, Jennifer, had not hesitated to offer one of her kidneys, but we were not a match. Jennifer was determined to “pay it forward,” and just four-and-a-half weeks after my transplant, she had her surgery. The recipient of her kidney was a 35-year-old man in Columbus, Ohio, who had been waiting for a kidney for five years. ―Sharon Dole, Augusta, Georgia

Responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Want to contribute an encounter of your own? Fill out the form here to share your personal story . You can also hit us up at [email protected] to share your experience, with details on what happened, where it occurred and how it made you feel or the particular mark it left on your life. We want to hear your experiences with kind strangers ― no matter how big or small they may be.

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A Belief in Helping Strangers

The collision of the two vehicles startled me. I swerved to the side of the road to ensure that I did not become a victim. My husband jumped out of the car before it had even stopped and rushed towards one of the cars that had been involved in the accident. Instinctively, I rushed towards the other car in an attempt to try and save the victim. From inside it, I heard the voice of a woman, calling faintly for assistance, “someone help me… my back! My hips! I can’t breathe, please help me!” carefully, I pulled at the door. Immediately, it flung open. The woman was trapped between the driver’s seat and the steering wheel. She was trying to pull herself from the entrapment but her attempts were all in vain because she did not move an inch. Slowly, I tagged at the seat and unfastened the seat belt. Luckily, there were no more complications and to our great relief, she was finally free! Pulling her from the smashed car, I carefully stretched her on a blanket offered to me by my husband, from my memory of first aid that I received in senior school, I covered her hastily to prevent the incidence of shock and waited for the arrival of the ambulance. This incident was stamped in my memory and it has never faded in my mind. It could be as a result of how much I received than I got. The assistance I gave this stranger gave me peace, inner satisfaction, and calm. Above all, it gave me one of life’s greatest lessons; giving unconditionally is a virtue that should be put to use because all kind of giving without other intentions helps to elevate human suffering and makes life more bearable.

One of the benefits of being helpful to people is the fact that all manner of kindness has the tendency to spread. This means that it may just start with you helping a couple of people that you don’t even know and probably they will never get the opportunity to know you and soon, the number grows and you realize that a dozen more people have joined in to help, the number continues to increase to up to a hundred and even thousands. These people do not know each other but kindness still has a positive influence on the receivers and just like ripples of water in a lake, there will be a whole sea of people with happy faces across the country who are just gaining happiness from a mere action of help. This just serves to show that helping makes life bearable to both the sufferers and the helping parties (Lowe, par. 20; L’Armand & Pepitone 193)

Good deeds rarely go unrewarded. There are three ways in which helping can be rewarding, one of them being that the probability of one receiving help later on in the future is high when they help other people. Another reward that can be obtained from helping is the fact that the person who is helped is relieved from the personal distress they were going through before they received help and finally, the last reward that can be obtained from helping others is that people can be able to gain approval from the society and thus increasing their self-worth (Burnstein 775).

Another good thing about helping is that help emanates purely from people’s hearts. Pure altruism comes by when someone experiences empathy towards an individual who is in need. This means that pure giving comes in when one is able to put themselves into the shoes of the people who are suffering and personally feel the emotional torment that the person is undergoing. When we are empathetic with someone’s troubling situation then we are willing to go through any options to attempt for purely altruistic reasons and this is done irrespective of what rewards one is likely to acquire through the help accorded (Darley 105)

Works Cited

Burnstein, Eric, Crandall, Earnest, & Kitayama, Evans. “Some Neo-Darwinian decision rules for altruism: Weighing cues for inclusive fitness as a function of the biological importance of the decision.” Journal of Personal Social Psychology74.6 (1994) : 773-789.

Darley, Johnson & Batson, Cole. “From Jerusalem to Jericho: A study of situational and dispositional variables in helping behavior.” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 27.3 (1973) : 100-108.

L’Armand, Katrina, & Pepitone, Arwin. “Helping to reward another person: A cross-cultural analysis.” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 31 .7(1975): 189-198.

Lowe, Richard. “Being helpful.” Online mind , 2009. Web.

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These 26 Stories About Strangers Helping People In Need Will Remind You That Humanity Is Not Doomed

Take comfort in these stories of the best of humanity.

BuzzFeed Staff Writer

We asked the BuzzFeed community to share their favorite stories of a time they received an act of kindness from a stranger . The results were overwhelmingly heartfelt and moving.

1. a nurse that went above and beyond:.

"One time I had an ovarian cyst and had to go to the hospital. I had no one to watch my 1-year-old son so I had to bring him with me. I was crying really hard because I couldn’t get my son to sit still with me and he kept trying to pull on my tubes. I just broke down. My phone was dead so I couldn’t call anyone. One of the nurses came up to me in my room and asked me if it was alright if she tried to calm my son down and give me a break. She brought some toys and a blanket back for him, and she held him in her arms and played with him so that I could calm down until my mother-in-law showed up. I didn’t even get her name, but it was so meaningful that she would show enough compassion to help us. Angels are REAL."

— pattiecolvin23

2. A guardian angel at the gas station:

"I was 40 miles from home in a high-crime area for a work obligation and I had driven with my empty gas tank light on for the entire trip there. I had $1.67 on my debit card and as I asked the clerk at the sketchy gas station I stopped at to put $1.00 on my pump, a man walked in. My card was declined so I sat in my car trying to find any change or singles I might have stashed. The man came up to my car and told me he put $5.00 on my pump. I don't know if this man has any idea how much he helped me but it got me home safe even though I cried tears of appreciation for most of my drive."

— oliviaf41947d6af

3. A good samaritan on a bicycle:

"I had just moved to a new country with my husband and 6-month-old baby. I had nothing to do and knew no one, so I went for a walk with the baby in the stroller and was about three miles from our apartment when the stroller tire got a puncture and went flat. I knew my son was going to start crying if we took too long and I was getting anxious about embarrassing myself in a foreign country. A very nice man was riding his bike and hopped off and said he had a tire repair kit and patched up my tire, inflated it, and even topped up the air in the rest of the tires. It only took him about five minutes and then he just hopped back on his bike and left, but it saved me so much time and stress and I am so grateful still."

— luvalatte

4. Generosity at the grocery store:

"I was grocery shopping when I received a call that my grandpa had died. My grandpa and I were close my whole life, everybody called me his little shadow. We knew it was coming, but to hear it over the phone put me into a shock. I just stood there and went white and numb. An older couple happened to be standing near me and sensed something was wrong. They asked but I couldn’t make words come out. They sat with me for a while, got ahold of my best friend to come pick me up, AND bought the groceries in my cart. Then, not too long after, they sent flowers to my house! Apparently they had my friend’s phone number from when they called her and they paid her to send a bouquet to me. That was one of the worst days of my life and I miss my grandpa every single day, but that kindness and humanity makes me cry in a good way."

— susieunderpants

5. A gentlemanly gesture:

"It was raining really hard one afternoon and I was walking back to my car with my groceries for the week and an old man offered to share his umbrella with me and walked me all the way to my car."

6. A quiet gesture of comfort and care:

"I'm a burn survivor. I was injured when someone neglectfully tossed chemicals on a bonfire. I spent a month in the hospital, had to have surgery, etc. When I got home I was severely depressed and struggled with PTSD. My mom decided to get me out of the house and took me to get my nails done and a pedicure. My usual nail girl was aware of the incident and was quietly asking me questions while I got my pedicure. When it was time to pay, they told me the woman seated next to me paid for my entire treatment and tip. It was a small gesture, but it made me burst into tears. I was so grateful. I never got to thank her."

— taylorb461b6566d

7. A grateful tribute for a veteran:

"We went to have all-you-can-eat steamed crabs at a local seafood joint here in Maryland. It was a nice break from our grandchildren that we raise. A friendly gent next to us asked my husband if he was in the Marines — he was wearing a T-shirt with USMC — and he said that he was. They chatted on and off while I enjoyed my steamed crab. He and his family got up and thanked my hubby for his service. After they left, the waitress came over and said that the man and his family paid for our meal. I will forever remain grateful and humbled by this experience. We have paid uniformed military tabs a time or two, paid for the car behind us in toll booths or a fast food joint but have never had it happen to us. Amazing feeling. We should all do things like this when we can."

— tangeemckenrickw

8. A kind word in the middle of a toddler meltdown:

"One time while I was out shopping, my toddler was in the cart having an absolute meltdown over a toy. I was mortified. My kid was literally screaming like she was being stabbed and people were giving me all sorts of disapproving looks. I felt like a total failure as a mom and I am sure that my face was as red as a tomato. A random man was walking by me with his cart and put his hand on my shoulder and said, 'Been there, done that. It happens to the best of us,' and walked away. His tiny little comment made me feel so much better about myself. Thank you sir for calming me in my time of need. I appreciated it."

— jesskelleherf

9. A server who went beyond the call of duty:

"I was a kid on vacation in France. Being a teenager, I was starving and asked the waitress for a French classic, a croque monsieur. Sadly, the kitchen at that place had been closed for the day. However this wonderful waitress ran all the way to the restaurant across the street to find me a sandwich. It was such a big deal to me because I was starving and this woman who didn’t even speak much English, went out of her way to do something kind for a random tourist."

— michelleg45101cb41

10. A warm meal for a tired worker:

"When I was working at Hobby Lobby during the Christmas season, I was sick and had almost lost my voice, but kept my attitude very upbeat. It was almost at the end of the night when this elderly couple came through my line. We started joking about them going to Cracker Barrel and the man asked me what I wanted. I joked about meatloaf and green beans with a sweet tea. About 20 minutes later, the elderly couple came back into the store with a bag from Cracker Barrel with my exact order, down to the sweet tea. The lady whispered, 'Merry Christmas' to me and I literally cried right there in the store."

— hollye4bc461713

11. A Bubbie to the rescue:

"I took my then 3-year-old to Florida to see my grandma. While waiting to board the plane my son fell asleep. I had him in my arms, his stroller, my diaper bag, and our carry-on luggage. Out of nowhere a little old lady came up to me and said, 'My darling there you are! Let Bubbie help you with the baby!' There I was with my blue hair, tattoos and piercings, and a sleeping child and this Jewish grandma came to save the day. I hugged her and thanked her and handed her my sleeping son so we could board together. When we finally got to my seat, she asked the man next to me if she could sit next to us and he very quickly gave up his seat. I looked at her and said, 'This was Bashert,' which means 'meant to be' in Yiddish. She smiled and said, 'Yes it was.' And there we sat on our flight to the motherland, Florida. Two very different Jewish mothers and a little boy who slept through the whole thing. I'd love to find my mystery Bubbie and thank her again but I'm sure she knows."

— lisar4b4c8cc6c

12. A Christmas miracle:

"My parents got divorced when I was 10. My mom and I struggled financially after that and our first few holidays were hard. My first Christmas after the divorce was difficult and emotional for both of us. On our first Christmas Eve without my dad our doorbell rang, and when I opened the door no one was there, but someone had left an envelope. In the envelope was a card from 'Santa' with a few hundred dollar bills. Someone had anonymously tried to give us a great Christmas, and to this day we still have no idea who it was! I’ll remember that forever."

13. A celebration of life:

"When I was 23, I was going through chemo and the day I found out it was working and I would survive, my friend and I went to lunch and an anonymous person covered the bill. That was the most important day of my life and the person who covered the bill will never know just how much it meant to me. I wish I could say thank you but since I cannot I try and pay it forward."

— rebeccanealonr

14. A single mom's new hero:

"I was a single mom, working at a well-known Italian restaurant, pulling doubles whilst putting myself through school. After picking my son up from my dad's house, I took him for an ice cream . I left my server book, with all my cash, at the ice cream shop downtown. About $180 in all. By the time I realized it and went back it was gone. I got to work the next day, and found out that a gentleman had brought my server book back to the restaurant, every dollar accounted for. He guessed which location to bring it to and they knew it was mine because I had a picture of my son taped inside. It still makes me tear up."

— smurakami86

15. Two habitual do-gooders:

"My husband and I went to the San Diego Zoo on our honeymoon. Before we could pay the $50 per person entry fee, two older ladies approached us and offered to take us in on their membership passes. Turns out they had both purchased memberships that allow you a guest entry every visit, and went walking at the zoo often. Every time they went, they take a couple of strangers in for free with them. Not necessarily life changing, but wonderful for a couple of newlyweds on a budget."

— scarfmonster

16. A life-saving love story:

"I moved to California last month completely on my own. Two weeks after I got here, I was in a huge car accident. Not only had I just arrived but I had absolutely no one to call in an emergency. Going through such a major trauma with no one by your side was the worst feeling in the world. However, that day a ton of strangers banded together to make sure I didn't feel alone. The paramedics and firefighters not only saved me at the scene, but ended up falling in love with my dog who was in the accident with me, so they brought him back to their fire station and kept him while I was in the hospital recovering. And my nurses were out of this world. When they heard I didn't have anyone to come get me and no way to get home and had pretty much lost everything in the crash, they banded together and raised hundreds of dollars of their own money to pay for me to get home and have something in my pocket to start rebuilding. They were my literal angels and I don't even have the words to express adequate thanks.

I'm now dating one of the paramedics who saved my life and took care of my dog. So maybe everything happens for a reason." — frodofreaklotr

17. A generous lift:

"A woman drove me 30 miles to work when my car broke down at the gas station." — courtiepaigee

18. A hug and a braid to remember:

"When I was in high school, I struggled really badly with depression and anxiety. One day I left class because I started having a panic attack. I was crying in the bathroom alone when a girl came in. I didn't know her, but she hugged me hard and let me cry, and then she re-braided my hair for me, which had come undone while I was crying. It was such an act of kindness when I was at a low point, and even though this was six years ago now, I still remember it."

— mairesequin

19. A life-saving donation:

"A young man passed away and donated his kidney to me. I don't know anything more about him, not even his name, but he saved my life and the lives of many other people. Thanks to his generosity and the kindness of his family during an impossible time I wake up healthy everyday." — damnitno

20. A concerned stranger:

"After my family and I lost our home in the Tubbs fire last year, I found myself sobbing in a McDonald's parking lot a day or two later. I didn't think anybody could hear or see me but a woman came over to my car, gave me a huge hug, and pulled out her wallet to give me a fifty dollar bill. I kept trying to give it back to her, but she insisted. I felt like I could do nothing but cry more and tell her thank you, while the only thing she told me was, to keep it and help my family. I never even got her name." — lionesserin91

21. A hand-picked bridal bouquet:

"On my wedding day, my husband and I were taking pictures after our courthouse wedding, and a woman from afar saw us taking pictures by the river walk. She noticed that I didn't have a bouquet of flowers so she cut some flowers from her garden and brought them over to us. She said it was just what I needed to be a perfect bride. To this day, I'm always grateful that this wonderful and kind woman exits." — i487aca532

22. Some much-needed shelter during a house fire:

"My house had caught on fire from the backyard, resulting in the whole house up in flames. I had been running around outside barefoot panicking, and had an asthma attack from the smoke in the air while people filmed me and my home. A woman living on the same street quickly opened her home to me and my three younger siblings, lending me a pair of shoes when we found out a firefighter had rescued one of our cats so I could take her to a vet. I am still so shocked and thankful for her kindness and generosity to people who were sobbing on the street, knowing nothing about us, giving my family a safe space in a moment of despair." — calliam

23. An unexpected pizza delivery:

"I used to work the front desk at the YMCA. There was a dad who used to come in pretty regularly with his little girl, who I always made sure to greet with a big smile and ask how she was. One night, as they were leaving he was talking to her about getting pizza, and I jokingly said that I could really go for a pizza too. He asked me what kind, and I told him, thinking he was just playing along. Twenty minutes later, he comes back in and hands me an entire pizza. Easily my favorite memory from working there." — ljvincent

24. An impressive display of respect from some young kids:

"I live in South Carolina, so our southern roots tend to melt like butter on a hot day when we witness or receive kindness. My Grandma had died and as we were driving from the church to the cemetery, three little boys, roughly aged 6-9, who had been riding their bicycles got off of their bikes, took their tiny little baseball caps off, and put them over their hearts and stayed in that position until I could no longer see them. That’s the only thing from that day 20 years ago that I remember. Even my black, nasty teenage heart melted over that small gesture." — tracyp10

25. An angel who opened her home to a complete stranger:

"I was in grad school and 70 miles from home when my car blew a gasket in a snowstorm. On a Sunday. No mechanic shops open, and no one would tow my car back to my place until the snowstorm lifted because of the dangerous roads. I was crying in a coffee shop on the phone, and a woman approached me and offered me a place to stay for the night. She did not know me at all, and she took me back to her house where I ate dinner with her, her mom, and her kids and slept in borrowed pajamas in her office. The next day she drove me back to my car and I got towed home. I will never forget what extreme kindness it must have taken to bring a stranger into your home with your kids like that." — raphaelahops

26. Ladies helping ladies:

"I was at a football game tailgating and unexpectedly got my period. I have a wallet-style phone case so all I had with me was my phone, ID, and credit card. The game was starting in about an hour so everyone was trickling into the stands. I found the closest bathroom, ran in, and it was packed. There was a line of about 25 girls waiting for stalls. I screamed, 'Ladies!! Please help me! It’s an emergency, does anyone have a tampon??' And I kid you not almost every damn one of them held one up and there were hands with tampons coming out from under stalls and if that’s not enough to make a girl on her period cry, they then all let me skip the line to take care of business. I love girls' girls."

— dutchtritan

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My Unsung Hero

He was stranded. a stranger offered help and a message: 'today you, tomorrow me'.

Laura Kwerel

Justin Horner's story has resonated with many. Justin Horner hide caption

Justin Horner's story has resonated with many.

This story is part of the My Unsung Hero series, from the Hidden Brain team. It features stories of people whose kindness left a lasting impression on someone else.

In 2010, Justin Horner was driving down a busy freeway in Portland, Ore., when his tire blew out. He pulled over to the side of the road and made a sign that said he needed help.

Three hours later, a van finally pulled up. Out came a family of four. They were Latino, and their young daughter acted as translator between her parents' Spanish and Horner's English, so that they could work together to fix Horner's car.

They took about an hour, starting with the father finding a log on the side of the road, and using it to lift the car. When they finished, the mom pulled out a big jug of water, and they drank and washed their hands.

"I just thanked them and thanked them and thanked them," Horner recalled. "And I tried to give her money. I only had a $20 bill, and I just thought, you know, it's the least I could do. And she just wouldn't take it."

But Horner was adamant, and eventually he put the money in her hand, and walked away.

Then he heard their small daughter call out, to ask Horner if he was hungry. Indeed he was, and she came over with a tamale from their cooler. They exchanged thank yous, she got into the van, and the family started to drive away.

He forgot his shirt for a job interview. A hotel employee had a novel solution

"As they're trying to get into traffic, I unwrapped the tamale and my money is in the tamale," Horner said. "They had unwrapped the tamale and they'd put the 20 in and then they'd wrapped it back up."

Horner immediately ran over to the van, which was starting to pull into traffic, to get the father's attention.

"He rolls down his window. He sees me coming and he's just shaking his head. And I keep saying like, 'Por favor, por favor' — I'm holding a bill out," Horner remembered.

"And he just kind of puts his hand up and he just, you know, with this big smile on his face, he just says, 'Today you, tomorrow me.'"

The man then gave Horner a wave, rolled up the window, and drove off. The last thing Horner saw was the young girl waving goodbye through the window. He never saw them again.

'Real MVP': A professor gives a shout out to the student who nods along in class

A few months later, Horner wrote up his story for Reddit , which drew thousands of likes and hundreds of comments. It turned into an essay in The New York Times , led to references on late night talk shows, and inspired a handful of short films.

Horner knows that the phrase, "today you, tomorrow me," wasn't invented by that stranger in the van — he says it's a common expression in Mexico, where he believes the family was from. But its sentiment is universal. And on many corners of the internet, it's become a kind of shorthand for empathy.

"It's weird. It just seemed like some chicken-soup-for-the soul kind of thing, right? Like 'Today you, tomorrow me,' like, 'It could have been you, it could have been me,'" Horner said.

"But when you start taking it apart, it's kind of big. I think at the end of the day, it just shows you that everyone can be vulnerable in a given situation, and that everyone needs help."

Listen to All Things Considered each day here or on your local member station for more stories like this.

My Unsung Hero is also a podcast — new episodes are released every Tuesday. To share the story of your unsung hero with the Hidden Brain team, record a voice memo on your phone and send it to [email protected].

Talk about a time when you helped someone

Talk about a time when you helped someone or Describe a time when you helped a Friend You should say:

Who was he?
How did you know him?
How did you help?
Talk about a time when you helped someone?

Sample 1:-

Well, We all need help at some point in time in our lives. I also received help much time and help others too. When we help others, It makes us happy and polite, also shows our behaviour towards others. Today, I have asked to talk about a time when I helped someone else. I remember an incident when I was in 10th standard. I helped my needy friend who was my class fellow.

His name was Avneet Singh and belong to a poor family. He didn’t have enough money to buy books. And I used to receive a hundred rupees per month pocket money in those days. Usually, I spent that money on chocolates and I love chocolates.

I decided to help him by giving all my pocket money to him. So, he could be able to buy books. I remember his face that how he became happy. Then, he bought books. Since then, we have been best friends. To be honest, I felt happy at that moment that feeling was extremely different which I never felt before.

I realized that some things can give more happiness than eating chocolates.

Sample 2:- Talk about a time when you helped someone

Well, it is a moral value to help someone in any difficult situation. And here I would like to talk about a time when I helped an unknown person. I describe it briefly.

About a couple of months ago, I was going to college. Actually, my college is located at some distance from my hometown. I go there via bus. Once a day, I took a bus at about 9:30 am to reach my destination. On this bus, I sit down on a seat and felt relaxed.

But suddenly, I felt something in my feet. I thought it is a paper or a small notebook of someone other. But when I stooped down to take it, I saw that it was a passport. I checked it and asked about it to all the people who were available on that bus. But everyone said no to this passport. that passport was of someone other.

I read the address on it and that address was of a village named “Malliana” which is nearby my hometown. I took it with me. Then, on the next day, I went to “Mariana” village and asked a villager about a home address which was available on that passport.

I easily found that home address. I went there and knocked on the door. A lady opened the door. I told her about the lost passport.

She felt immensely glad after listen to it from me. Because of that passport of her son. She gave respect to me and thanked me. I also felt highly elated by helping a human being.

All in all, that was the time when I helped an unknown person.

Sample 3:- Talk about a time when you helped someone

Although, I belong to an educated family consists of 5 members, my father. my mother, my two siblings and myself, We are all spending our lines with great enthusiasm.

Even though, I have remembered all the moral values given by my parents to me such as help others, respect to elders, love with the country and so on.

Generally, about two months ago, I had helped an old and feeble person. On one Sunday, I was sitting on my home’s roof in the evening. Then, I saw that an old person was wondering in my locality here and there.

Unfortunately, he was not looking well. It seemed that he was asking about an address or location.

Hence, I went outside and asked that person about the matter. He told me that he is looking for an address. At the same time, the weather was too hot because this happened during the summer season.

So, I took that old person to my house and gave water to him for drinking. He felt relax and cool. Then, I asked him about the address for which he was wandering. He told me everything.

Initially, after it, I went with him on my motorbike and dropped him at the same address which was that old person searching.

Eventually, I had helped him by dropping him at his destination. He blessed me a lot. I felt very much glad after seeing a smile on his face. I felt myself on the ninth cloud by happiness.

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IELTS FEVER

3 thoughts on “talk about a time when you helped someone”.

Pingback: January 2020 to April 2020 Cue Cards with Answers UpDated - IELTS FEVER

Hi , it happened with me when I was in 1 standard her name was Ardhya I gave her all money of my pocket money but when my mom asked me to show the piggy bank it was nothing so, first she asked where is it I told I gave all my pocket money to my best friend because she have to buy books 📚 my mother was very happy and I day when I want to buy 1 book 📖 but that time I don’t have money so I meet to my best friend she gave me some money I was happy I bought the book and we read it together 😊😊

i like sample 2 it is so nice

IELTS Cue Card Sample Question – Describe a Time When You Helped a Stranger

If you ask those who have done the IELTS exam what the most challenging part of the test was, odds are they will say the cue card component, also known as the IELTS Speaking Part 2 .

If you are wondering why, it is because in this section of the test, you will be assigned a topic with which you may not be acquainted, and you will have no option but to address it.

To make matters more challenging, you have less time to prepare and must talk for a longer period without interruptions or questions from the examiner. But do not panic.

This article contains sample replies to the cue card topic ‘Describe a time when you helped a stranger.’ Continue reading to find out more.

What is the IELTS Cue Card Question?

How to answer this specific question: “describe a time when you helped a stranger” , sample response 1:, sample response 2: , vocabulary list for answering this question: “describe a time when you helped a stranger”.

The examiner will present you with a cue card with a topic printed on it in Task 2 of the IELTS Speaking Test . This card is referred to as a cue card . It will also give 3-5 bullet points that outline what you should discuss in your talk.

You have one minute to plan, during which you may jot down with the pen and paper provided to you.

You will be given 1-2 minutes to speak on the topic.

Then, the examiner will ask you one or two questions about your subject. This portion lasts about 3-4 minutes in total.

Topic/Question

Describe a Time When You Helped a Stranger

Guidelines to answer this question

You should say:

When it was
Where it was
Why that person needed help

And explain what and how you felt after helping them.

Recall a time when you helped a stranger. If you have no experience of helping a stranger, you can make up a story. The examiner will not know.
Once you have a subject to discuss, stick to it. There is no time to change your mind as you only have 60 seconds to plan.
Begin writing notes. State when and where it was and discuss why that person needed help. Do not forget to explain why you felt after helping them.
Manage your time well. You can do this by writing only keywords and sentences instead of sentences.
Employ sophisticated vocabulary. Make use of complex grammar structures as well. These two account for 50 percent of your marks in this part of the test.
Take quick notes, but make sure you understand what you have written later on. It is acceptable if the examiner does not recognize what you have written. Your grade is determined by the substance and delivery of your speech, not by your handwriting.
You may wish to glance at your notes from time to time. It is permitted. The examiner will not prevent you from doing so. After all, it is why you are given a pen and a piece of paper.

Sample Responses: “Describe a Time When You Helped a Stranger”

“The specific occurrence I’d want to discuss happened during my undergraduate years when I assisted a poor family in our hometown. I can’t exactly recall the name of the person, but I know that he was a technician with a family of five. He had a tiny shop that repairs electronic devices. His modest shop was destroyed by a catastrophic typhoon, and he had no alternative source of income or the ability to repair it.

I noticed him trying to calm his tiny children who were begging for food one day. This occurred near our college campus when I had gone to meet a classmate. I was so moved by the lovely but sad-looking children that I approached this person. He narrated what had transpired in a shaky voice. I bought them some fruits and snacks then asked them to hang around for a while. I went to my lecture and shared what happened to my three closest friends. Finally, we went to our class instructor and prepared an application about the person’s and his family’s plight.

We were able to raise a large amount of money, which was beyond my expectations. We purchased food and clothing for this family with this money, and they were so appreciative that the husband and wife began crying and praying for us. In terms of my emotions, I felt both satisfied and humbled. This is one of those times I realized how fascinating and fulfilling it is to assist someone. I felt blessed, and the man and his wife treated me as if I were a beloved friend.”

Follow-up Question 1:

Do you like to help others?

“Yes, I enjoy helping others. I am overjoyed when I am able to assist someone. Whenever someone comes to me for assistance, I do my utmost to help him/her in any way I can.”

Follow-up Question 2:

How do members of your community assist one another?

“I’m really fortunate to have very helpful people in our community. We try to help each other in any way we can. May it be donating money, helping out during events, or giving food, the people in our community never cease to help each other in times of need.”

“Man is a social being. We all have to provide and accept support from others on a regular basis. I’m going to tell you about a time when I assisted an accident victim. It happened when I was in Vinh last month for a wedding. We noticed a lady lying on her side with a lot of blood pouring from her head. The accident had occurred only 2 minutes before we saw them.

She was with her husband, and they were on a scooter when they were hit by a fast automobile as they exited the gas station. We quickly pulled over to the side of the road and approached to see if we could assist.

Her spouse had minor injuries, but she was in critical condition. We quickly dialed the number of the government’s free ambulance service. The ambulance arrived in fifteen minutes.

We did not move the lady since doing so could have aggravated her injury. She was breathing normally, but she was in a lot of agonies. In the ambulance, there was a first-aid crew led by a doctor. The ambulance crew carefully placed her on a stretcher and brought her to the nearest hospital. We obtained the phone numbers of the patient’s other relatives from her husband and called them. Actually, he was taken aback by his wife’s condition. We didn’t leave until they were settled. We were an hour late for the wedding, but we were glad we could aid those folks in need.”

Follow-up Question 1:

Do you believe people nowadays are less willing to help others than in the past?

“Yes, I believe so. Today’s world moves at a fast pace. People have turned into workaholics. They have become self-absorbed. They seem not to have time to help others.”

Follow-up Question 2:

Do people trust each other as much as they used to?

“No, I don’t believe so. My grandparents and parents used to tell me that life used to be simpler and slower. People had faith in one another. Nowadays, it is quite difficult to find someone with whom you can put your trust. I think that people are changing just as the world is.”

Below are some terms from the sample responses for the cue card topic ‘ Describe a time when you helped a stranger .’ with their definitions and example sentences for your reference.

Additional Reading — IELTS Speaking Cue Card Questions

Describe a Person You Admire
Describe Your Best Friend
Describe Someone Famous that You Want to Meet
Describe a Person Who You Think is a Good Leader
Describe a Neighbor You Like
Describe a Place You Want to Travel Next
Describe a Historical Place that You Have Been to
Describe a Place You and Your Friend Went to Recently
Describe a Place Where You Spend Most of Your Free Time
Describe a Country that You Want to Visit
Describe a Gift that You Have Received Recently
Describe an Item of Clothing that You Bought for Someone
Describe a Piece of Art that You Want to Buy
Describe Something that You Recently Lost
Describe a Vehicle that You Want to Buy
Describe an Activity that You Find Enjoyable
Describe a Place Where You Love to Shop
Describe an Event that You Recently Attended
Describe One of the Busiest Days of Your Life
Describe a Hobby that You Do with Your Family
Describe a Difficult Decision that You Made
Describe a Time When You Felt Lucky
Describe the First Time You Had a Mobile Phone
Describe a Time When You Tried to Do Something but Weren’t Successful
Describe Your Favorite Teacher
Describe Your Favorite Photograph
Describe Your Favorite Subject in School
Describe Your Favorite Song
Describe Your Favorite Actor
Describe a Situation that Made You Upset
Describe a Time When You Had an Argument with Someone
Describe One of the Happiest Travels You Ever Had
Describe an Incident When You Got Scared
Describe a Time When You Felt Relieved
Describe a Workaholic Person You Know
Describe an Interesting Course You Took
Describe a Time When Someone at Work Gave You a Compliment
Describe a Quiet Place at School Where You Like Spending Your Free Time
Describe a Time When Something Unfortunate Happened at Work

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clock This article was published more than 4 years ago

Would you help a stranger? UCLA to study why people are kind or not.

On Father’s Day 2017, a woman paying for her meal at a McDonald’s drive-up window in Scottsburg, Ind., told the cashier that she’d also like to buy the meals of the man with four children in the van behind her. “Tell him ‘Happy Father’s Day,’ ” she told the salesclerk .

Her small act of kindness was soon regenerated 167 times, with each customer offering to pay for the subsequent person's order. The story made national headlines, but Daniel Fessler wasn't surprised.

The University of California anthropology professor has spent the past several years studying the positive effects of kindness, and he is now the inaugural director of an academy devoted to the subject.

“The very fact that we can live cheek and jowl next to each other is remarkable in itself,” he said. “With the world more connected than ever before, kindness has never been more important."

This church gave its parishioners $60,000 and told them to pay it forward. Here’s what happened.

The Bedari Kindness Institute opened last month in a UCLA social sciences building with a $20 million gift from the Bedari Foundation to fund research on what provokes kindness and how that can empower everyday people. It will also offer classes and workshops on the topic.

Research has already been done at UCLA about how kindness can reduce heart disease, depression and a person’s risk for developing cancer, said Darnell Hunt, dean of the university’s social sciences division and administrator of the new program. Researchers have begun to study the effects of kindness on depressed students.

Another project underway is studying why some people choose to risk their lives to save others during genocide while their friends and neighbors do not.

“What are the mechanisms that determine whether somebody is going to be kind or not?” Hunt asked. “Who are these people, and what motivated them to take action?”

He added that “kindness is at the core of humans’ ability to cooperate with one another.”

How a town came together to rescue a missing 6-year-old — and used a thermal camera on a drone to find him

The institute is being funded by Manhattan philanthropists Matthew C. Harris and his wife, Jennifer, who named the research facility Bedari after the first syllables of the names of their children: Beckett, Dakota and Riley.

Matthew Harris said he was inspired to help start the institute after awakening one morning in his New York City home and realizing that negative thoughts he was having about himself were beginning to affect his relationships with family and friends, he said.

“Whether it’s being judgmental, holding yourself to a higher standard or insisting on perfection — all the ways I lived my life — it became my experience that if you’re not kind and compassionate to yourself, it’s hard to do the same for others,” said Harris. “I simply didn’t want to live my life like that anymore,” he said.

Harris, who is a founder of Manhattan’s Global Infrastructure Partners, an equity firm that focuses on areas such as energy and waste, conferred with his wife and several educators at UCLA (his 1984 alma mater) and came up with a plan for the kindness academy.

Fessler, the academy’s director, is one of several professors working with the institute. He recently finished a study on whether kindness can evoke an emotional response that becomes contagious. Answer: yes.

The anthropology professor and his research volunteers randomly selected about 8,000 people in Los Angeles to earn $5 by watching a light video of a person doing backflips or an emotional video of a young man performing kind acts for strangers.

At the end of each viewing (the video each person watched was decided by a coin toss), people were given the option of donating their $5 or any other amount they desired to a local children's hospital, said Fessler.

“They put whatever they wanted in a padded envelope while the researcher turned her back, and then the envelope was given to another researcher who recorded it and forwarded it to the hospital,” he said.

Participants who were shown the video featuring kind acts were more generous with their donations, Fessler observed.

This Miami bus driver performed CPR on a passenger. It was the third time she helped save someone.

“So when people are exposed to an emotional experience of kindness, they're more likely to respond in kind,” he said. “Can we predict who will have this or not? Yes, we can. But it depends on what kind of expectations they have about other people.”

A cynical person who watches the kindness video and thinks the do-gooder is either a sucker or is out to exploit people, isn't as likely to pay it forward than a person who comes away thinking that their community is full of good people, said Fessler.

“When people get this emotional boost, they become more pro-social,” he said. “The people we studied used words like ‘uplifted,’ ‘moved’ and ‘tears in my eyes’ to describe how they felt internally. One person told me, ‘I feel like hugging a puppy.’ ”

Fessler likes to compare his experiment to the real-life story of those 167 people who paid for each other's meals at McDonald's.

“Each individual's act spurred somebody else to engage in pro-social behavior,” he said. “If people are interacting with each other again and again, then theoretically, that can lift the community to the point where people are more cooperative with one another.”

At a time when people trade political barbs with strangers online and some choose to spend hours each day in isolation with their phones, kindness has never been more needed, he said. Fessler said he spent years working in Indonesia and learned a saying: “There is no ivory which is not cracked.”

“It’s a metaphor for ‘we are all imperfect,’ " he said. “For any of us to say, ‘My way is the right way and I have the only right values’ is to fail to recognize that all of us can be kinder and more tolerant. We’re all in the same lifeboat together.”

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Community Articles & More

Helping others can help you feel better during the pandemic, a new study suggests that people who volunteer or support others during the pandemic tend to be happier..

In many ways, the coronavirus pandemic has demonstrated the extent to which we rely on others. This year, we’ve been forced to find new ways to stay connected, whether that’s signing up for virtual volunteering , organizing Zoom happy hours, or using resources like Nextdoor’s Help Map to obtain essential supplies.

How are these new ways of connecting impacting our well-being during the pandemic? According to a new research paper published in The Gerontologist , all the help that we’re giving and receiving may be serving to brighten our days and keep our relationships strong.

As shelter-in-place orders were issued in March, a team of researchers began asking participants to complete surveys each night for a week. In total, over 1,000 participants in the United States and Canada responded in the spring and summer. In the surveys, participants were asked if they had helped anyone that day—either as part of an organized volunteer activity or by providing help more informally (for example, by offering emotional support to a friend or bringing a neighbor groceries). In addition, participants also reported on their positive and negative emotions, indicated whether they had received support from anyone that day, and rated how they felt their relationships were going.

The researchers found that participants who helped others more often—whether through formal volunteering or providing more informal types of help—reported higher positive emotions, lower negative emotions, and more satisfaction with their relationships. In addition to these differences between people, the researchers also observed people’s well-being fluctuate over time: On days when participants helped others, they felt greater positive emotions and were happier with their relationships, compared to days when they didn’t help anyone else.

Additionally, providing emotional support (that is, providing a listening ear rather than trying to fix someone’s problem) had a unique benefit: On days when participants offered this kind of support, they reported lower negative emotions.

During the study, older participants (ages 60 and up) were the most likely to participate in formal volunteering activities, and they were the most likely to receive emotional support from others. Older participants also reported the highest levels of well-being, in terms of positive and negative emotions and satisfaction with their relationships. Volunteering and staying socially connected—albeit at a distance—may play a role in helping older adults stay well during the pandemic.

In fact, receiving help seemed to be beneficial for everyone, not just older people: On days when participants received support from others, they reported higher positive emotions and more happiness with their relationships.

While this might seem intuitive, it actually differs from previous research, which has found that receiving help from others can sometimes backfire. For example, receiving support we didn’t ask for can be an unpleasant experience, since it can make us feel like our competence is being called into question. Research also suggests that feeling incompetent or powerless as a result of receiving support is linked to negative consequences, such as having more symptoms of depression.

Why didn’t receiving support have adverse consequences in the present study? Nancy Sin, assistant professor at the University of British Columbia and lead author of the study, explains that one reason may have to do with the nature of the pandemic. Since all of us are going through a huge, collective stressor, reaching out for help is, in a sense, normalized.

Additionally, people may be more likely to receive the kind of helpful, effective support that they want right now. Participants in the study were especially likely to receive emotional support , and, when we’re facing an uncontrollable, unpredictable event—like COVID-19 is—being able to vent is sometimes more effective than having someone jump in to fix whatever’s wrong. It also helps that a lot of the support happening right now is reciprocal: In a conversation with a friend, we might find ourselves taking the role of both support provider and support recipient.

Make Giving Feel Good

How to encourage kindness in ways that also boost happiness

Sin’s advice for people who are feeling lonely or disconnected right now? Seek out opportunities to connect with others, whether through formal volunteer organizations (many of which are offering virtual or socially distanced opportunities to help) or by simply reaching out to a friend you haven’t talked to in a while.

Another way to help out is to get others connected to the digital resources they need to set up Zoom calls or do virtual volunteering. While more and more older adults are connected to the internet, not all are (and socioeconomic inequalities can exacerbate this issue). Helping to bridge this digital gap will have a meaningful impact on people’s sense of connectedness right now.

Sin also suggests that the efforts we’re making now to cultivate our social networks can have long-reaching consequences. The volunteer networks, community groups, and mutual aid organizations we’ve built up while social distancing are resources that we can carry forward, even after the pandemic. She explains, “What I hope is that, by people becoming more active in helping other people, in maybe becoming more involved in their communities, that this will build resources that people can still rely on in the future even after the pandemic is over.”

About the Author

Elizabeth Hopper

Elizabeth Hopper, Ph.D. , received her Ph.D. in psychology from UC Santa Barbara and currently works as a freelance science writer specializing in psychology and mental health.

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Inspirational Short Stories About Helping Others | How Showing Kindness Will Enrich Your Life

True inspirational short stories about helping others discover how showing kindness will enrich your life and the lives of those whom you touch.

Experience the profound impact of helping others through true inspirational stories from around the world that showcase the transformative power of compassion. Beneath these narratives lies a truth: giving not only benefits those in need but also enriches the giver's life in countless ways.

When we extend a helping hand, we find purpose and fulfillment, fostering a deep sense of interconnectedness. When we help others, expressing kindness to strangers and those we love, we spark a chain reaction, creating a better world for everyone. Each person becomes inspired to pay it forward, igniting a cycle of goodwill that knows no bounds.

Enjoy reading through this journey of inspiration, where simple gestures set in motion events that touch lives in unexpected ways. From the bustling streets of the USA to the serene landscapes of Cyprus, from the vibrant communities of Vietnam and Pakistan to the cultural richness of Argentina, each tale teaches us that kindness and helping others always makes its way back to you.

Read on and let these tales inspire you to make a difference, one act of kindness at a time. Together, we can create a brighter, more compassionate world.

One Favour to a Friend Changed My Life by Tram | Inspiring Story #24

Pregnant and exhausted, Tram couldn’t see a way out of her monotonous home-to-work, work-to-home daily routine… until one day a friend asks her for a favour. Tram’s story is about hope for a better life. It’s about giving …,and receiving so much more in return.

Hitchhiker with a Knife by Sarah Mackenzie | Inspiring Story #33

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Beautiful Cypriot Woman | Story of Human Kindness | Inspiring Story #72

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Village Boy Finds a Way then Pays It Forward | By Nawaz Khan | Inspiring Story #109

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Describe a Time When You Helped a Stranger

If you ask those who have done the IELTS exam what the most challenging part of the test was, odds are they will say the cue card component, also known as the IELTS Speaking Part 2 .

If you are wondering why, it is because in this section of the test, you will be assigned a topic with which you may not be acquainted, and you will have no option but to address it.

To make matters more challenging, you have less time to prepare and must talk for a longer period without interruptions or questions from the examiner. But do not panic.

This article contains sample replies to the cue card topic ‘Describe a time when you helped a stranger.’ Continue reading to find out more.

What is the IELTS Cue Card Question?

You have one minute to plan, during which you may jot down with the pen and paper provided to you.

You will be given 1-2 minutes to speak on the topic.

Then, the examiner will ask you one or two questions about your subject. This portion lasts about 3-4 minutes in total.

How to Answer this Specific Question: “Describe a Time When You Helped a Stranger”

Topic/question.

Describe a Time When You Helped a Stranger

Guidelines to answer this question

You should say:

When it was
Where it was
Why that person needed help

And explain what and how you felt after helping them.

Recall a time when you helped a stranger. If you have no experience of helping a stranger, you can make up a story. The examiner will not know.
Once you have a subject to discuss, stick to it. There is no time to change your mind as you only have 60 seconds to plan.
Begin writing notes. State when and where it was and discuss why that person needed help. Do not forget to explain why you felt after helping them.
Manage your time well. You can do this by writing only keywords and sentences instead of sentences.
Employ sophisticated vocabulary. Make use of complex grammar structures as well. These two account for 50 percent of your marks in this part of the test.
Take quick notes, but make sure you understand what you have written later on. It is acceptable if the examiner does not recognize what you have written. Your grade is determined by the substance and delivery of your speech, not by your handwriting.
You may wish to glance at your notes from time to time. It is permitted. The examiner will not prevent you from doing so. After all, it is why you are given a pen and a piece of paper.

Sample Responses: “Describe a Time When You Helped a Stranger”

Sample response 1:.

Follow-up Question 1:

Do you like to help others?

“Yes, I enjoy helping others. I am overjoyed when I am able to assist someone. Whenever someone comes to me for assistance, I do my utmost to help him/her in any way I can.”

Follow-up Question 2:

How do members of your community assist one another?

Sample Response 2:

Her spouse had minor injuries, but she was in critical condition. We quickly dialed the number of the government’s free ambulance service. The ambulance arrived in fifteen minutes.

Follow-up Question 1:

Do you believe people nowadays are less willing to help others than in the past?

“Yes, I believe so. Today’s world moves at a fast pace. People have turned into workaholics. They have become self-absorbed. They seem not to have time to help others.”

Follow-up Question 2:

Do people trust each other as much as they used to?

Vocabulary List for Answering this Question: “Describe a Time When You Helped a Stranger”

Below are some terms from the sample responses for the cue card topic ‘ Describe a time when you helped a stranger .’ with their definitions and example sentences for your reference.

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Essay on A Stranger

Students are often asked to write an essay on A Stranger in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on A Stranger

Who is a stranger.

A stranger is a person we do not know. We meet strangers every day. They could be in the park, at the store, or on the street. It’s normal to feel curious about them. We might wonder about their lives, their jobs, or where they come from.

Interacting with Strangers

It’s okay to talk to strangers in safe places. Always be polite and kind. But remember, it’s important to keep personal details private. Don’t share your name, address, or phone number. It’s best to talk about simple things like the weather or a favorite sport.

Strangers and Safety

Safety is crucial when dealing with strangers. Always stay in public areas. If a stranger makes you feel uncomfortable, it’s okay to walk away. Tell a trusted adult if something feels wrong. Remember, your safety comes first.

Strangers Can Become Friends

Sometimes, strangers become friends. You might meet someone at school or a club who starts as a stranger. Over time, as you get to know them, they might become a good friend. It’s a beautiful part of life.

250 Words Essay on A Stranger

A stranger is a person who is unknown or unfamiliar to you. This person could be someone you see in a park, at the bus stop, or in a store. You don’t know their name, where they live, or anything about their life. They are just like a book you haven’t read yet.

Meeting a Stranger

Meeting a stranger can be an interesting experience. You might feel curious about them. You might wonder about their life, their interests, and their story. Every person has a unique story, and a stranger is no different.

It’s important to remember that not all strangers are friendly. Some might mean harm. This is why it’s crucial to be careful. When you’re a kid, you should always stay near trusted adults and never go anywhere with a stranger.

Sometimes, strangers can become friends. Think about your best friend. There was a time when you didn’t know them, right? They were a stranger to you. But then, you got to know each other. You shared laughs, stories, and maybe even secrets. And just like that, a stranger became a friend.

The Beauty of Diversity

Strangers show us the beauty of diversity. They come from different places, have different cultures, and different ideas. This diversity makes our world more vibrant and exciting.

In conclusion, a stranger is someone unknown to us. While we should be careful around them for safety, they can also become our friends. They help us appreciate the diversity in our world.

500 Words Essay on A Stranger

Introduction.

A stranger is a person we do not know or recognize. We often meet strangers in public places like parks, buses, schools, and markets. Some strangers may become our friends, while others remain unknown. This essay will explore the concept of a stranger in a simple and easy-to-understand manner.

When we meet a stranger, we usually feel a mix of curiosity and caution. Curiosity because we want to know more about the person, and caution because we are unsure about their intentions. It’s natural to feel this way. We should always be careful when dealing with strangers, especially if they approach us in a way that makes us uncomfortable.

The Stranger’s Role

Strangers play an important role in our lives. They can teach us new things and introduce us to different cultures, ideas, and perspectives. For example, a stranger from a different country can tell us about their traditions, food, and way of life. This helps us learn about the world outside our own experiences.

While strangers can be interesting, we also need to remember safety. Children are often taught about “stranger danger”. This means they should be careful around people they don’t know. They should never go anywhere with a stranger or take anything from them. It’s good advice for everyone, not just children. We should always trust our instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Strangers Becoming Friends

Every friend was once a stranger. It’s a strange thought, isn’t it? But it’s true. We meet new people, get to know them, and over time, some of them become our friends. This is one of the most exciting parts about meeting strangers. You never know who might end up being an important part of your life.

Strangers in the Digital World

In today’s digital world, we meet more strangers online than in person. We should be just as careful online as we are in real life. It’s easy for people to pretend to be someone they’re not on the internet. Always remember to protect your personal information and never share it with strangers online.

In conclusion, strangers are a part of our daily lives. They can offer new insights and perspectives, but we should always be careful and prioritize our safety. Remember, every friend was once a stranger, and who knows, the next stranger you meet could end up being a good friend. But always remember to be safe, whether you’re meeting strangers in person or online.

This essay has explored the concept of a stranger in a simple way. We learned about meeting strangers, their role in our lives, safety considerations, and the possibility of strangers becoming friends. We also discussed the role of strangers in the digital world. Remember, it’s okay to be curious, but it’s also important to stay safe!

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

Essay on A Stormy Day
Essay on A Soccer Match
Essay on A Scenic Place

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

Why Sharing Stories Brings People Together

Our brains sync up when we tell stories..

Posted June 6, 2011 | Reviewed by Ekua Hagan

In high school, a teammate on my track team told me about the big oak tree in his backyard when he was growing up. One day, his older brother climbed way up into its branches and then called for him to come over. Happy that his bigger brother wanted to include him in the activity, he ran over as quickly as he could. As he gazed up, his brother peed down on him from above.

I couldn't help but laugh, but not simply because of his misfortune. Instead, the thought of him standing there, wide-eyed, and then realizing he'd been tricked surely reminded me of a similar incident of my own. Experience is a wonderful teacher, and I had learned my own lessons about gullibility.

In the years that passed, that teammate became one of my best friends, and I suspect that the story he shared, along with similar ones I told, had something to do with it.

Recently, when I met a woman who makes a living as a professional storyteller, and who has used her narrative talent to win an annual lying competition , she told me about something that happens when she has a group under her spell. When she really enlivens a story, the audience will nod their heads in unison and their eyes will grip onto her movements as she garnishes the plot. They inhale as a group, breathing in her story. She calls the experience "story trance."

A new neuroscience study may explain why telling stories builds empathy and also why, when you tell a good one, people act as if they're watching it unfold before them.

A team of scientists at Princeton, led by Uri Hasson, had a woman tell a story while in an MRI scanner. Functional MRI scans detect brain activity by monitoring blood flow; when a brain region is active it needs more blood to provide oxygen and nutrients. The active regions light up on a computer screen. They recorded her story on a computer and monitored her brain activity as she spoke. She did this twice, once in English and once in Russian; she was fluent in both languages. They then had a group of volunteers listen to the stories through headphones while they had their brains scanned. All of the volunteers spoke English, but none understood Russian. After the volunteers heard the story, Hasson asked them some questions to see how much of each story they understood.

When the woman spoke English, the volunteers understood her story, and their brains synchronized. When she had activity in her insula, an emotional brain region, the listeners did too. When her frontal cortex lit up, so did theirs. By simply telling a story, the woman could plant ideas, thoughts, and emotions into the listeners' brains.

Hasson also looked at listening comprehension. He found that the more the listeners understood the story, the more their brain activity dovetailed with the speaker's. When you listen to stories and understand them, you experience the exact same brain pattern as the person telling the story.

When the woman spoke Russian, the speaker-listener brain coupling disappeared. The woman tried to communicate something that had happened to her, but the listeners could not understand. Her voice had inflection and emotion , but without comprehensible words to clue them into the action, the listeners could not make sense of her story. Except in the early auditory regions involved in processing sounds, their brains did not have corresponding activity.

When you tell a story to a friend, you can transfer experiences directly to their brain. They feel what you feel. They empathize. What's more, when communicating most effectively, you can get a group of people's brains to synchronize their activity. As you relate someone's desires through a story, they become the desires of the audience. When trouble develops, they gasp in unison, and when desires are fulfilled they smile together.

For as long as you've got your audience's attention , they are in your mind. When you hear a good story, you develop empathy with the teller because you experience the events for yourself. This makes sense. Stories should be powerful. They helped us share information long ago before we had a written language and Wikipedia.

The study may also explain another phenomenon of story-telling: story-stealing. Do you have a friend that you can tell one of your stories to, and then two weeks later the friend tells you the same story, except now it happened to them? Perhaps, by telling them, you transferred the story to their brain. They felt as if they were there, if only vicariously through you. Take it as a tribute to your gift as a good storyteller.

Before I get going, does anyone have a good story to share?

Stephens GJ, Silbert LJ, Hasson U. Speaker-listener neural coupling underlies successful communication. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2010 Aug 10;107(32):14425-30.

Joshua Gowin, Ph.D. , earned his doctorate in behavioral neuroscience at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston.

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Home Essays

The Kindness of Strangers

Bruce Schneier
The Wall Street Journal
March 12, 2009

When I was growing up, children were commonly taught: “don’t talk to strangers.” Strangers might be bad, we were told, so it’s prudent to steer clear of them.

And yet most people are honest, kind, and generous, especially when someone asks them for help. If a small child is in trouble, the smartest thing he can do is find a nice-looking stranger and talk to him.

These two pieces of advice may seem to contradict each other, but they don’t. The difference is that in the second instance, the child is choosing which stranger to talk to. Given that the overwhelming majority of people will help, the child is likely to get help if he chooses a random stranger. But if a stranger comes up to a child and talks to him or her, it’s not a random choice. It’s more likely, although still unlikely, that the stranger is up to no good.

As a species, we tend help each other, and a surprising amount of our security and safety comes from the kindness of strangers. During disasters: floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, bridge collapses. In times of personal tragedy. And even in normal times.

If you’re sitting in a cafe working on your laptop and need to get up for a minute, ask the person sitting next to you to watch your stuff. He’s very unlikely to steal anything. Or, if you’re nervous about that, ask the three people sitting around you. Those three people don’t know each other, and will not only watch your stuff, but they’ll also watch each other to make sure no one steals anything.

Again, this works because you’re selecting the people. If three people walk up to you in the café and offer to watch your computer while you go to the bathroom, don’t take them up on that offer. Your odds of getting three honest people are much lower.

Some computer systems rely on the kindness of strangers, too. The Internet works because nodes benevolently forward packets to each other without any recompense from either the sender or receiver of those packets. Wikipedia works because strangers are willing to write for, and edit, an encyclopedia – with no recompense.

Collaborative spam filtering is another example. Basically, once someone notices a particular e-mail is spam, he marks it, and everyone else in the network is alerted that it’s spam. Marking the e-mail is a completely altruistic task; the person doing it gets no benefit from the action. But he receives benefit from everyone else doing it for other e-mails.

Tor is a system for anonymous Web browsing. The details are complicated, but basically, a network of Tor servers passes Web traffic among each other in such a way as to anonymize where it came from. Think of it as a giant shell game. As a Web surfer, I put my Web query inside a shell and send it to a random Tor server. That server knows who I am but not what I am doing. It passes that shell to another Tor server, which passes it to a third. That third server—which knows what I am doing but not who I am—processes the Web query. When the Web page comes back to that third server, the process reverses itself and I get my Web page. Assuming enough Web surfers are sending enough shells through the system, even someone eavesdropping on the entire network can’t figure out what I’m doing.

It’s a very clever system, and it protects a lot of people , including journalists, human rights activists, whistleblowers, and ordinary people living in repressive regimes around the world. But it only works because of the kindness of strangers. No one gets any benefit from being a Tor server; it uses up bandwidth to forward other people’s packets around. It’s more efficient to be a Tor client and use the forwarding capabilities of others. But if there are no Tor servers, then there’s no Tor. Tor works because people are willing to set themselves up as servers, at no benefit to them.

Alibi clubs work along similar lines. You can find them on the Internet, and they’re loose collections of people willing to help each other out with alibis. Sign up, and you’re in. You can ask someone to pretend to be your doctor and call your boss. Or someone to pretend to be your boss and call your spouse. Or maybe someone to pretend to be your spouse and call your boss. Whatever you want, just ask and some anonymous stranger will come to your rescue. And because your accomplice is an anonymous stranger, it’s safer than asking a friend to participate in your ruse.

There are risks in these sorts of systems. Regularly, marketers and other people with agendas try to manipulate Wikipedia entries to suit their interests. Intelligence agencies can, and almost certainly have, set themselves up as Tor servers to better eavesdrop on traffic. And a do-gooder could join an alibi club just to expose other members. But for the most part, strangers are willing to help each other, and systems that harvest this kindness work very well on the Internet.

Categories: Psychology of Security

Tags: Wall Street Journal

Sidebar photo of Bruce Schneier by Joe MacInnis.

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Example of a great essay | Explanations, tips & tricks

Example of a Great Essay | Explanations, Tips & Tricks

Published on February 9, 2015 by Shane Bryson . Revised on July 23, 2023 by Shona McCombes.

This example guides you through the structure of an essay. It shows how to build an effective introduction , focused paragraphs , clear transitions between ideas, and a strong conclusion .

Each paragraph addresses a single central point, introduced by a topic sentence , and each point is directly related to the thesis statement .

As you read, hover over the highlighted parts to learn what they do and why they work.

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Other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about writing an essay, an appeal to the senses: the development of the braille system in nineteenth-century france.

The invention of Braille was a major turning point in the history of disability. The writing system of raised dots used by visually impaired people was developed by Louis Braille in nineteenth-century France. In a society that did not value disabled people in general, blindness was particularly stigmatized, and lack of access to reading and writing was a significant barrier to social participation. The idea of tactile reading was not entirely new, but existing methods based on sighted systems were difficult to learn and use. As the first writing system designed for blind people’s needs, Braille was a groundbreaking new accessibility tool. It not only provided practical benefits, but also helped change the cultural status of blindness. This essay begins by discussing the situation of blind people in nineteenth-century Europe. It then describes the invention of Braille and the gradual process of its acceptance within blind education. Subsequently, it explores the wide-ranging effects of this invention on blind people’s social and cultural lives.

Lack of access to reading and writing put blind people at a serious disadvantage in nineteenth-century society. Text was one of the primary methods through which people engaged with culture, communicated with others, and accessed information; without a well-developed reading system that did not rely on sight, blind people were excluded from social participation (Weygand, 2009). While disabled people in general suffered from discrimination, blindness was widely viewed as the worst disability, and it was commonly believed that blind people were incapable of pursuing a profession or improving themselves through culture (Weygand, 2009). This demonstrates the importance of reading and writing to social status at the time: without access to text, it was considered impossible to fully participate in society. Blind people were excluded from the sighted world, but also entirely dependent on sighted people for information and education.

In France, debates about how to deal with disability led to the adoption of different strategies over time. While people with temporary difficulties were able to access public welfare, the most common response to people with long-term disabilities, such as hearing or vision loss, was to group them together in institutions (Tombs, 1996). At first, a joint institute for the blind and deaf was created, and although the partnership was motivated more by financial considerations than by the well-being of the residents, the institute aimed to help people develop skills valuable to society (Weygand, 2009). Eventually blind institutions were separated from deaf institutions, and the focus shifted towards education of the blind, as was the case for the Royal Institute for Blind Youth, which Louis Braille attended (Jimenez et al, 2009). The growing acknowledgement of the uniqueness of different disabilities led to more targeted education strategies, fostering an environment in which the benefits of a specifically blind education could be more widely recognized.

Several different systems of tactile reading can be seen as forerunners to the method Louis Braille developed, but these systems were all developed based on the sighted system. The Royal Institute for Blind Youth in Paris taught the students to read embossed roman letters, a method created by the school’s founder, Valentin Hauy (Jimenez et al., 2009). Reading this way proved to be a rather arduous task, as the letters were difficult to distinguish by touch. The embossed letter method was based on the reading system of sighted people, with minimal adaptation for those with vision loss. As a result, this method did not gain significant success among blind students.

Louis Braille was bound to be influenced by his school’s founder, but the most influential pre-Braille tactile reading system was Charles Barbier’s night writing. A soldier in Napoleon’s army, Barbier developed a system in 1819 that used 12 dots with a five line musical staff (Kersten, 1997). His intention was to develop a system that would allow the military to communicate at night without the need for light (Herron, 2009). The code developed by Barbier was phonetic (Jimenez et al., 2009); in other words, the code was designed for sighted people and was based on the sounds of words, not on an actual alphabet. Barbier discovered that variants of raised dots within a square were the easiest method of reading by touch (Jimenez et al., 2009). This system proved effective for the transmission of short messages between military personnel, but the symbols were too large for the fingertip, greatly reducing the speed at which a message could be read (Herron, 2009). For this reason, it was unsuitable for daily use and was not widely adopted in the blind community.

Nevertheless, Barbier’s military dot system was more efficient than Hauy’s embossed letters, and it provided the framework within which Louis Braille developed his method. Barbier’s system, with its dashes and dots, could form over 4000 combinations (Jimenez et al., 2009). Compared to the 26 letters of the Latin alphabet, this was an absurdly high number. Braille kept the raised dot form, but developed a more manageable system that would reflect the sighted alphabet. He replaced Barbier’s dashes and dots with just six dots in a rectangular configuration (Jimenez et al., 2009). The result was that the blind population in France had a tactile reading system using dots (like Barbier’s) that was based on the structure of the sighted alphabet (like Hauy’s); crucially, this system was the first developed specifically for the purposes of the blind.

While the Braille system gained immediate popularity with the blind students at the Institute in Paris, it had to gain acceptance among the sighted before its adoption throughout France. This support was necessary because sighted teachers and leaders had ultimate control over the propagation of Braille resources. Many of the teachers at the Royal Institute for Blind Youth resisted learning Braille’s system because they found the tactile method of reading difficult to learn (Bullock & Galst, 2009). This resistance was symptomatic of the prevalent attitude that the blind population had to adapt to the sighted world rather than develop their own tools and methods. Over time, however, with the increasing impetus to make social contribution possible for all, teachers began to appreciate the usefulness of Braille’s system (Bullock & Galst, 2009), realizing that access to reading could help improve the productivity and integration of people with vision loss. It took approximately 30 years, but the French government eventually approved the Braille system, and it was established throughout the country (Bullock & Galst, 2009).

Although Blind people remained marginalized throughout the nineteenth century, the Braille system granted them growing opportunities for social participation. Most obviously, Braille allowed people with vision loss to read the same alphabet used by sighted people (Bullock & Galst, 2009), allowing them to participate in certain cultural experiences previously unavailable to them. Written works, such as books and poetry, had previously been inaccessible to the blind population without the aid of a reader, limiting their autonomy. As books began to be distributed in Braille, this barrier was reduced, enabling people with vision loss to access information autonomously. The closing of the gap between the abilities of blind and the sighted contributed to a gradual shift in blind people’s status, lessening the cultural perception of the blind as essentially different and facilitating greater social integration.

The Braille system also had important cultural effects beyond the sphere of written culture. Its invention later led to the development of a music notation system for the blind, although Louis Braille did not develop this system himself (Jimenez, et al., 2009). This development helped remove a cultural obstacle that had been introduced by the popularization of written musical notation in the early 1500s. While music had previously been an arena in which the blind could participate on equal footing, the transition from memory-based performance to notation-based performance meant that blind musicians were no longer able to compete with sighted musicians (Kersten, 1997). As a result, a tactile musical notation system became necessary for professional equality between blind and sighted musicians (Kersten, 1997).

Braille paved the way for dramatic cultural changes in the way blind people were treated and the opportunities available to them. Louis Braille’s innovation was to reimagine existing reading systems from a blind perspective, and the success of this invention required sighted teachers to adapt to their students’ reality instead of the other way around. In this sense, Braille helped drive broader social changes in the status of blindness. New accessibility tools provide practical advantages to those who need them, but they can also change the perspectives and attitudes of those who do not.

Bullock, J. D., & Galst, J. M. (2009). The Story of Louis Braille. Archives of Ophthalmology , 127(11), 1532. https://doi.org/10.1001/archophthalmol.2009.286.

Herron, M. (2009, May 6). Blind visionary. Retrieved from https://eandt.theiet.org/content/articles/2009/05/blind-visionary/.

Jiménez, J., Olea, J., Torres, J., Alonso, I., Harder, D., & Fischer, K. (2009). Biography of Louis Braille and Invention of the Braille Alphabet. Survey of Ophthalmology , 54(1), 142–149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.survophthal.2008.10.006.

Kersten, F.G. (1997). The history and development of Braille music methodology. The Bulletin of Historical Research in Music Education , 18(2). Retrieved from https://www.jstor.org/stable/40214926.

Mellor, C.M. (2006). Louis Braille: A touch of genius . Boston: National Braille Press.

Tombs, R. (1996). France: 1814-1914 . London: Pearson Education Ltd.

Weygand, Z. (2009). The blind in French society from the Middle Ages to the century of Louis Braille . Stanford: Stanford University Press.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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An essay is a focused piece of writing that explains, argues, describes, or narrates.

In high school, you may have to write many different types of essays to develop your writing skills.

Academic essays at college level are usually argumentative : you develop a clear thesis about your topic and make a case for your position using evidence, analysis and interpretation.

The structure of an essay is divided into an introduction that presents your topic and thesis statement , a body containing your in-depth analysis and arguments, and a conclusion wrapping up your ideas.

The structure of the body is flexible, but you should always spend some time thinking about how you can organize your essay to best serve your ideas.

Your essay introduction should include three main things, in this order:

An opening hook to catch the reader’s attention.
Relevant background information that the reader needs to know.
A thesis statement that presents your main point or argument.

The length of each part depends on the length and complexity of your essay .

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.

A topic sentence is a sentence that expresses the main point of a paragraph . Everything else in the paragraph should relate to the topic sentence.

At college level, you must properly cite your sources in all essays , research papers , and other academic texts (except exams and in-class exercises).

Add a citation whenever you quote , paraphrase , or summarize information or ideas from a source. You should also give full source details in a bibliography or reference list at the end of your text.

The exact format of your citations depends on which citation style you are instructed to use. The most common styles are APA , MLA , and Chicago .

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Shane finished his master's degree in English literature in 2013 and has been working as a writing tutor and editor since 2009. He began proofreading and editing essays with Scribbr in early summer, 2014.

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How to Ask a Stranger For Help

It might feel socially risky, but ask anyway. Keep your request simple and direct.

By Malia Wollan

“Asking for help is hardly ever as bad as you imagine it will be,” says Vanessa Bohns, a social psychologist and associate professor of organizational behavior at Cornell University. For research purposes, she and colleagues have sent help-seekers out into cities all over the world to request things from 15,000 strangers. Appealing for assistance “feels socially risky,” Bohns says. Ask anyway. When asked for help, most people are happy to comply. “We are a social species,” Bohns says. “We default to being agreeable rather than disagreeable.”

Keep your request simple and direct. “Don’t offer a million excuses and apologies,” she says. To avoid potential rejection, you might feel inclined to passively hint at what you need rather than saying it outright. Don’t do that. Ask directly for what you need, and if someone says no, move on and ask another person. Whether you’re approaching a stranger or a friend, it’s always more effective to ask for help in person. “Be face to face,” Bohns says. “It’s more emotional.”

Assume the stranger will help you. In one study, Bohns and a colleague had undergraduates approach people they didn’t know and say, “Can I use your cellphone to make a call?” Before starting, the undergrads had to predict how many people they would have to ask to get three to agree; they overestimated by more than 60 percent. It turned out that about half the strangers shared their phone. The help-seeker tends to believe people will weigh the time and financial costs associated with offering assistance, but it turns out saying no is awkward, and most people would rather just say yes, even when the request feels ethically questionable. In another study, Bohns had people ask strangers to write the word “pickle” in a library book. Many were reluctant and uncomfortable, but ultimately some 65 percent of them vandalized the book anyway.

Try not to seek help from strangers in a location where others are simultaneously approaching them with requests. The only place that Bohns found where strangers mostly refused to help was a busy street in Toronto frequented by canvassers and petitioners. People steel themselves in those kinds of scenarios. “It’s easier to say no when you know what’s coming,” she says.

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"Being helped" vs "have been helped"

Thread starter Unique.s
Start date Oct 19, 2016

Senior Member

Oct 19, 2016

Here are some sentences about "being helped": 1. Share your experiences of being helped by the Air Ambulance. Source: Share your experiences of being helped by the Air Ambulance 2. California Nice victim talks about being helped by a stranger Nice victim Greg Krentzman from Culver City, Calif, talks about being helped by a good Samaritan after being hit by a truck that killed 80. Source: California Nice victim talks about being helped by a stranger | Daily Mail Online 3. Being helped by one of the nurses, the patient slipped and fell. (Does it mean "as/while he was being helped"?) Does "being helped" here refers to "he/she was being helped" or what kind of sentence construction it is ? How "being helped" is different from "had been helped, for example: >share your experiences you had been helped by the air ambulance.

1. Gerund. 2. Gerund. 3. You are correct.

Oct 20, 2016

I hope someone is out there to help me learn it

post mod (English Only / Latin)

Oct 21, 2016

Unique.s said: experiences of being helped Click to expand...

Unique.s said: talks about being helped Click to expand...

Unique.s said: 3. Being helped by one of the nurses, the patient slipped and fell. Click to expand...

Cagey said: In these, the -ing form follows a prepostion, which means that it is functioning as a noun. I call -ing forms functioning as nouns 'gerunds'. In the third sentence ' being helped by one of the nurses' describes what was happening to the patient at time he slipped and fell. In this sentence, I call 'being helped' a "participle" , and 'being helped by one of the nurses' a "participial phrase." I agree with you that it means "as/while he was being helped." If you use 'had been helped' , those are two different actions that didn't happen at the same time. The patient had been helped by one of the nurses, and he [=the patient] slipped and fell. First he was helped, then he fell. This sentence does not make much sense, but I am using it just as an example to explain 'had been helped'. I didn't use your example sentence because it is a new sentence and is difficult to understand. Click to expand...

Englishmypassion

Unique.s said: I have heard somewhere that 'being+p.p' is timeless or tense less Click to expand...

Englishmypassion said: You've heard it right -- "being+pp" and other participial phrases are all timeless themselves and they get the tense of the clause they are attached to. Click to expand...

Oct 24, 2016

Unique.s said: there must be some rules for it too. Click to expand...

Unique.s said: 1.Being e mployed as a teacher at a school,I hardly manage to find time for painting. (does it shows the 'reason' ?) Click to expand...

Unique.s said: 2. Being helped by Ram, I did my homework. (I was helped by Ram and I did my homework or because I was helped by Ram, I did my homework, which meaning it conveys?) Click to expand...

PaulQ said: This is possibly the worst mistake that a student of English can make. "Rules" do not exist. Instead, we learn what has happened in the past as our language evolves, and it is context that allows us to understand. There is some good academic guidance available, but it is (i) lengthy and (ii) in advanced, and specialised, English that requires the understanding of complex concepts. No native speaker ever considers all of this guidance each time they speak. Unique.s, Although "Being+past participle" is a relatively uncommon construction - especially at the beginning of sentences - teachers of English often spend a lot of time explaining "Being+past participle". The result is that many students of English think that the construction is very common, and then they overuse it. Do you think it shows a reason? 1. Do you think you could add context to the sentence to explain why it can be both? 2. This sort of confusion/ambiguity is one reason why "Being+past participle" is a relatively uncommon construction... Click to expand...

I do not like: "Being helped by Ram, I did my homework." It does not sound idiomatic (although it is probably grammatically correct.) Most people would say, "I did my homework as I was helped by Ram." Or "I could do my homework because Ram helped me." You needs some practice in changing "ordinary sentences" into "Being+past participle" type sentences - only then will you understand how "Being+past participle" works - in fact, it is probably better understood as "Being + adjective ". " Because he was exhausted , he went to sleep." -> "He went to sleep because he was exhausted ,." -> " Being exhausted , he went to sleep." " Because she was tall , she could reach the top shelf." -> She could reach the top shelf because she was tall ." -> Being tall , she could reach the top shelf." " Because he was annoyed, he made mistakes." -> "He made mistakes because he was annoyed. " -> " Being annoyed, he made mistakes." " Because he was angry, he made mistakes." -> "He made mistakes because he was angry . " -> " Being angry , he made mistakes." " Because he was angered by the remark, he made mistakes." -> "He made mistakes because he was angered by the remark . " -> " Being angered by the remark , he made mistakes."

PaulQ said: I do not like: "Being helped by Ram, I did my homework." It does not sound idiomatic (although it is probably grammatically correct.) Most people would say, "I did my homework as I was helped by Ram." Or "I could do my homework because Ram helped me." You needs some practice in changing "ordinary sentences" into "Being+past participle" type sentences - only then will you understand how "Being+past participle" works - in fact, it is probably better understood as "Being + adjective ". " Because he was exhausted , he went to sleep." -> "He went to sleep because he was exhausted ,." -> " Being exhausted , he went to sleep." " Because she was tall , she could reach the top shelf." -> She could reach the top shelf because she was tall ." -> Being tall , she could reach the top shelf." " Because he was annoyed, he made mistakes." -> "He made mistakes because he was annoyed. " -> " Being annoyed, he made mistakes." " Because he was angry, he made mistakes." -> "He made mistakes because he was angry . " -> " Being angry , he made mistakes." " Because he was angered by the remark, he made mistakes." -> "He made mistakes because he was angered by the remark . " -> " Being angered by the remark , he made mistakes." Click to expand...

You do not "need" to, but it helps - it does make it less ambiguous.

Hermione Golightly

I would entirely avoid these constructions because they are so often misused and sound unnatural. Native speakers rarely use them as Paul already said. I don't know about your language, but these clumsy constructions seem very poplar in Indian varieties of English. The passive should be avoided too whenever possible. Either use a clause with a finite verb, or see if you can think of another simple phrase such as 'With Paul's help, ... .'

I think I've understood what "Being+adj." actually is.It conveys both meaning "showing a reason" and "one action followed by another" Does it also conveys the "continueous action" As @Cagey mentions in #4, My example No3 :Being helped by one of the nurses, the patient slipped and fell.

Oct 25, 2016

Unique.s said: Does it also conveys the "continueous action" As @Cagey mentions in #4, My example No3 :Being helped by one of the nurses, the patient slipped and fell. Click to expand...

Although this construction is supposed to be poor style, I often find such sentences in formal writing such as in articles, Newspaper, journals etc. That's why I want to learn this construction in details. Now, I came to the point that when we use 'being+past participle' in a sentence It, may have three kinds of meanings (which makes a sentence ambigious) 1. Conveys the reason for the action of main clause(It's the defult interpretation) just like=because/since/ as 2. It replaces 'passive finite clause'. For example: share your experiences of being helped by Ram.= share your experiences where you were helped by Ram. (here, 'being helped by Ram' replaces---where you were helped by Ram) 3. Continueous action: Being helped by Ram in doing homework, I fell asleep. (It means: when Ram was helping me doing homework, I fell asleep) being helped by Ram=when I was being helped by Ram. Am I correct in my explanation? Or I've missed something?

Do you mean if were to make a sentence using 'being+p.p' to mean continueous action, I would need to use 'while' in front of 'being' ? My #16 need to be edited ?

Your first point in #16 says that the default meaning is the reason. It is clearly not in Being helped by one of the nurses or Being helped by Ram with my homework. You could add at the end of point 1 "(this is the default interpretation").

Oct 26, 2016

Ok, I've added 'defult interpretation at the end of point 1 in #16, Now, am I correct?

To conclude, Now, I came to the point that when we use 'being+past participle' in a sentence there may be more than one meanings. (which makes a sentence ambiguous) 1. It Conveys the reason for the action of main clause (replacing since, as, because) If 'Being' does not express the reason, we can normally write a preposition such as---after/before/while/despite etc + being+past participle 2. It replaces a 'passive finite clause'. For example: share your experiences of being helped by Ram.= share your experiences where you were helped by Ram. (here, 'being helped by Ram' replaces---where you were helped by Ram) 3. Continuous action: Being helped by Ram with my homework, I fell asleep. (It means: while Ram was helping me with my homework, I fell asleep) being helped by Ram=when I was being helped by Ram. Starting a sentence with 'being+p.p' Itself is ambiguous. To remove any ambiguity, we normally add a preposition--- while being+p.p (for the continuous action)

The sentence in #16 is really...odd, Unique.s. I am not sure why you're trying so hard to fix it. "Being helped" can mean "while I was being helped," but it can also mean "because I was helped" or "since I was helped." But in addition to being ambiguous, it's really odd and unnatural sounding. I'm sorry to tell you that because I can tell that you're very interested in making this work, but that is the truth.

JustKate said: The sentence in #16 is really...odd, Unique.s. I am not sure why you're trying so hard to fix it. "Being helped" can mean "while I was being helped," but it can also mean "because I was helped" or "since I was helped." But in addition to being ambiguous, it's really odd and unnatural sounding. I'm sorry to tell you that because I can tell that you're very interested in making this work, but that is the truth. Click to expand...

Oct 29, 2016

Thank you so much to All of you for taking the time to share your knowledge with me. I greately appreciate your help.

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"Being helped" vs "have been helped"
1. Conveys the reason for the action of main clause (It's the defult interpretation) just like=because/since/ as. 2. It replaces 'passive finite clause'. For example: share your experiences of being helped by Ram.= share your experiences where you were helped by Ram. (here, 'being helped by Ram' replaces---where you were helped by Ram) 3.

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