The Boy Who Learned to Help Others: A Simple Kids Story About Kindness and Compassion

The Boy who realized his mistake

Once upon a time, there was a young boy named Nick. Nick lived near a small village that was close to a big green jungle. Many children lived in the village, and they often played together, helped each other, and shared their food and toys. But Nick was very different from the other children.

Nick liked to stay alone. He did not smile much. He did not talk much. When other children asked him questions, he answered in short words or did not answer at all. Many kids thought Nick was unfriendly. Some even said, “Nick never helps anyone.”

And sadly, this was true.

If someone dropped their books, Nick walked away.
If someone needed help carrying water, Nick said, “Not my problem.”
If someone was sad, Nick did not care.

Nick believed that helping others was a waste of time. He only cared about himself.

One sunny morning, Nick was sitting near a tree, throwing small stones on the ground. Suddenly, another boy came running toward him. This boy was named Sam. Sam was kind, polite, and always ready to help others.

Sam looked tired and worried.

“Nick,” Sam said softly, “can you please help me?”

Nick looked up and frowned. “What do you want?” he asked.

Sam replied, “My little sister is sick. I need to collect some fruits from the jungle, but I am scared to go alone. Can you come with me?”

Nick stood up and crossed his arms. “No,” he said quickly.

Sam was surprised. “Please, Nick,” he said. “It will not take long.”

Nick shook his head. “I don’t care,” he said. “Go find someone else.”

Sam felt sad. “But you are strong,” he said. “You can help me.”

Nick turned his face away. “I said no. Leave me alone.”

Sam sighed. He looked at Nick one last time and said, “Okay. I hope one day you understand how important it is to help others.”

Then Sam walked away.

Nick did not feel bad. He sat back down and continued throwing stones, thinking only about himself.

A few days later, Nick decided to walk into the jungle by himself. He wanted to explore and show that he was brave. The jungle was big and full of tall trees, loud birds, and strange sounds.

Nick walked deeper and deeper into the jungle.

“This place is not scary,” Nick said to himself. “I don’t need anyone.”

Suddenly, the ground became slippery. Nick did not see a wet rock under his foot.

“Ahhh!” Nick shouted.

He slipped and fell down a small hill and rolled straight into a fast-moving river.

The water was cold and strong.

“Help!” Nick cried. “Someone help me!”

Nick tried to swim, but he was not a good swimmer. The water pushed him around. He swallowed water and started coughing.

“I am going to drown,” Nick thought in fear.

His arms felt weak. His legs felt heavy. He was very scared.

Just then, someone heard Nick’s cries.

“Is someone in trouble?” a voice asked.

It was Sam.

Sam was walking near the river to collect water when he saw Nick struggling in the water.

“Nick!” Sam shouted. “Hold on!”

Nick saw Sam and cried loudly, “Please help me! I am sorry! Please don’t leave me!”

Sam stopped for a moment. He remembered how Nick had refused to help him before.

Sam thought, Should I help him? He did not help me when I needed him.

Sam stood there, confused.

Nick shouted again, “Please, Sam! I will die!”

Sam took a deep breath. “I cannot let him die,” he said to himself.

Sam found a long stick near the river. He lay down on the ground and pushed the stick toward Nick.

“Grab the stick!” Sam shouted.

Nick tried and missed.

“Try again!” Sam said.

Nick grabbed the stick tightly.

“Don’t let go!” Sam said as he pulled with all his strength.

Slowly, Sam pulled Nick out of the river.

Nick fell on the ground, coughing and shaking.

Sam sat next to him and said, “You are safe now.”

Nick looked at Sam with tears in his eyes.

“Thank you,” Nick whispered. “You saved my life.”

Sam looked at Nick and said calmly, “Nick, do you remember when I asked for your help?”

Nick lowered his head. “Yes,” he said.

Sam continued, “You said you didn’t care. You turned me away.”

Nick felt ashamed. “I was wrong,” he said. “I was selfish and unkind.”

Sam said, “Helping others is important. Today, you needed help too.”

Nick nodded. “I understand now,” he said. “I was scared and helpless. I know how it feels.”

Nick looked at Sam and said, “I promise I will change. I will help others when they need me.”

Sam smiled. “Everyone makes mistakes,” he said. “What matters is learning from them.”

After that day, Nick was not the same boy anymore.

When someone dropped their books, Nick helped pick them up.
When someone needed help, Nick said, “I am here.”
When someone was sad, Nick listened.

The other children were surprised.

“Nick is different now,” they said.

Nick smiled more. He felt happy helping others.

One day, Nick saw Sam again and said, “Thank you for saving me and teaching me an important lesson.”

Sam replied, “Kindness makes the world better.”

And Nick never forgot that lesson.

The End

Story Comprehension Questions (With Answers)

1. What is the name of the main character in the story?
Answer: The main character’s name is Nick.

2. How was Nick’s behavior at the beginning of the story?
Answer: Nick was unfriendly and did not like to help others.

3. Who asked Nick for help?
Answer: A boy named Sam asked Nick for help.

4. Why did Sam need help?
Answer: Sam needed help collecting fruits because his sister was sick.

5. Did Nick help Sam? Why or why not?
Answer: No, Nick did not help because he was selfish and did not care about others.

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Story Events Questions

6. Where did Nick go alone one day?
Answer: Nick went alone into the jungle.

7. What accident happened to Nick in the jungle?
Answer: Nick slipped, fell into a river, and almost drowned.

8. Who came to help Nick when he was in danger?
Answer: Sam came to help Nick.

9. How did Sam save Nick?
Answer: Sam used a stick to pull Nick out of the river.

10. How did Nick feel after Sam saved him?
Answer: Nick felt sorry, thankful, and ashamed.

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Moral and Thinking Questions

11. Why did Sam help Nick even though Nick did not help him before?
Answer: Sam helped Nick because he was kind and did not want Nick to die.

12. What lesson did Nick learn from this experience?
Answer: Nick learned that helping others is important and being selfish is wrong.

13. How did Nick change at the end of the story?
Answer: Nick became kind, helpful, and caring toward others.

14. What would have happened if Sam did not help Nick?
Answer: Nick might have drowned and gotten badly hurt.

15. Why is kindness important?
Answer: Kindness helps people, builds friendship, and makes the world a better place.