This story was submitted as part of “Good People Good Deeds” English Writing Competition 2025-26, hosted by the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals. The theme is to write stories about universal moral values including dignity, kindness, respect, impartiality and the spirit of humanity.

“Astra! Come and help me get the laundry!” Mom called from the other side of the room. Astra’s two year old toddler sister, Alice, stacked on her back, cooing at her mother’s words. Astra groaned and reluctantly put down the comic book she was holding.

“Why me…”

The ten–year-old glanced up at the cloud-filled grey sky while retrieving the laundry. Her mom was right. It was going to pour heavily. She glanced at the messy couch with confused laundry piling up on the cushions. Her mother was sitting on the seat and comforted the tiny gremlin who was crying and stole all the attention from her.

Astra’s heart was filled with rage, so much that she didn’t even notice her mom hurrying off to the kitchen to retrieve dinner. Why? She managed to control her emotions and kept folding the laundry.

The adorable baby watched Astra with its button-like eyes, her babbling stopping abruptly.

Astra noticed Alice watching and squinted at her.

“What?!” Then she rolled her eyes and went back to her work rudely. She swatted away the pang of guilt that had risen from her heart, listening to Alice’s adorable gibberish and cooing again. Her brows furrowed as her fingers glided over the soft and cleansed fabric.

Rain water dropped from the damaged ceiling into a flawed plastic bowl as Mom yelled: “Dinner’s ready! Come eat now!”

Astra side-eyed Alice mid-bite as she struggled to grasp her chopsticks.

“You’re doing it wrong again.” She sighed, pulling back from the dining table and strided over to her. “Here.”

Astra held Alice’s soft hands, pulling them towards the rear of the chopsticks, and letting the hands mimic her position of the hands. Alice’s minute fingers started to move with turtle speed. Astra’s patience, for once, was not thin at all! She kept guiding Alice’s little sister’s trembling fingers towards where they were supposed to be. Alice was paying full attention to her sister.

The chopsticks met the roasted carrots in Alice’s plate. It clinked against the porcelain, making the sound of a bell. It lifted up to Alice's mouth.

“Here comes the airplane.” Alice opened her mouth and devoured the whole portion of carrots. Astra saw her small giggle and her heart melted, resulting in her feeding Alice more and more. She had never felt so satisfied at her own work that she almost forgot to stop.

Alice’s slight poking on Astra’s shoulders made her snap back to Earth, and she realised just how fulfilling helping others can be. It brought a sense of joy to her. She never thought she would appreciate having a sister. But now, things are different. Alice’s place in Astra’s heart has risen to top priority, as it should.

Astra started acting differently towards her little sister, more affectionate and giving her more attention. She even started pouring more time to teach Alice how to walk properly and how to talk clearly with ease! Finally acting like a responsible sibling!

How kindness can change people!

Kindness in the Hong Kong Eighties