Read the responses to this week’s Write to Win prompt and vote for the answer you like most using this form. The deadline for voting is 12pm on Tuesday, October 27.
We have prepared some exciting prizes for our top three contestants:
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Winner: Kindle, City’super voucher and a YP certificate
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First runner-up: Instax camera and a YP certificate
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Second runner-up: City’super voucher and a YP certificate
Bonus prize: Every winner will also walk away with 2 tickets to Hong Kong Disneyland!
Jupiter: When I was eight years old, it was exam week at school, and I was determined to do my best. My father would drop me off at school on his way to work, and every morning, I tried to arrive early so that I could squeeze in a few extra minutes of revision before our exams began. One morning, while hurrying through the MTR station, I started taking the escalator steps two at a time, convinced that those few minutes would change my grade. Unfortunately, I tripped and fell onto the metal teeth of the escalator, leaving a deep bruise on my knee. My father treated the wound with his handkerchief and boarded the train, planning to get a bandage at the next station. On the train, a father and child noticed our situation and, without hesitation, handed us a cleaning solution and a bandage. That simple act of kindness has stayed with me ever since, teaching me one of humanity’s finest qualities. A stranger took the time to help us without expecting anything in return. At school, we were often encouraged to carry a first aid kit in case of emergencies, but after that experience, I began carrying one not only for myself but also for anyone who might need help.
Mars: When I was in Primary Two, my sister and I flew from Hong Kong to Singapore by ourselves. Our parents were busy with work, so we travelled alone to visit our grandparents for the holidays. The airport provided a check-in service for us, but there was no official supervision once we boarded the plane. After finding our seats and buckling in, we felt incredibly small and vulnerable. A male stranger occupied the third seat in our row, and I worried he might be annoyed to sit next to two young kids. Fortunately, instead of ignoring us, he turned out to be really kind. As soon as he noticed our matching solo-traveller badges, his face lit up with a warm smile. He spent the entire flight chatting and playing games with us, asking about our school and listening to our excitement about seeing our grandmother. He even ordered us extra snacks and helped open our meals until we reached the ground staff waiting for us at the airport. Right before the plane landed in Singapore, he took a selfie of the three of us. His genuine kindness transformed an anxious journey into a fun adventure. Even though a long time has passed, the memory remains incredibly vivid. I never saw him again, and I cannot remember his name today, but I will always cherish this unique flight that made two little kids feel completely safe and happy up in the sky.
Neptune: There are 8 billion people in the world, and most of them remain strangers to us. This phenomenon is especially common nowadays, and I believe it is largely due to our reliance on mobile phones and our own excuses. We often think that social media connects us and helps us become more informed global citizens. However, we become so absorbed in this digital world that we forget to pay attention to what is right in front of us. When I was in London, my mum and I walked through a mall. As we looked ahead, we noticed a blond-haired man smiling at us while holding the door open. We were surprised because he was about 10 metres away from us. We hurried over to say thank you. He held the door open for us again at another entrance. This kind of interaction would likely never happen in Hong Kong, where most people are too focused on their phones to notice anyone else. Even if someone did look up, it is unlikely they would hold the door open for that long, waiting for someone to pass through. This stranger’s act of kindness left a lasting impression on me. He could have easily walked away without holding the door, and I wouldn’t have given it much thought, but he chose to stay. Small acts of kindness are so rare these days, yet when they do happen, they inspire us to be better versions of ourselves. Even though I may never meet him again, I remember and honour him each time I perform a small act of kindness. So, never stop being kind to others; you never know the impact it may have.
