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.

It was a rainy day in autumn. It should have been dry, but the raindrops didn’t mind refreshing the air. In a small room, a girl was laying on a tiny bed. Her face was pale. Her eyes were shut, eyebrows frowned in pain.

“I’m back!” yelled Kevin. He closed the door lightly as he saw the girl. The boy had red hair the same as the girl in bed. They both had green eyes like sparkling emeralds.

“Sue, do you feel better now?” He knelt down beside the bed and asked. The girl opened her eyes hardly, squishing some words out.

“I’m ok. Are you going to work?”

Kevin stood up and laughed, “Yes, silly. Would you take care of yourself when I’m not at home?” Susan smiled and nodded.

Kevin left and closed the door. Susan closed her eyes in pain. Her parents would come back at half past nine. Her brother would be back at eight p.m. She was alone with her illness again.

Sue picked up and read her diary.

“My parents told me I've got leukemia today. I feel pain. They don’t have money for my Stem Cell (Bone Marrow) Transplant surgery, so I have to rest at home. They were working hard, even Kevin went to work to save my life. I feel weaker and weaker every day.”

Tears came out as she read, she sobbed and wrote: “I think I’m going to die. I love my family. I felt loved. Thank you.”

The rain stopped. Kevin came back all wet. He yelled as he pushed the door, “Sue! Look who I brought to you!” Sue barely opened her eyes, and gave a big smile.

“Sue!” screamed a girl. It was Lily, her best friend. Lily hugged her, her black hair flew in the air as she told Susan about things in school. Susan smiled as she listened to her, but suddenly she felt dizzy. Lily’s face turned vague. Susan felt like she couldn't breathe. She panted as she closed her eyes. Susan heard Lily and Kevin screaming and calling her name.

Susan felt a high temperature on her forehead like someone put her in a giant oven. But, her skin was freezing like she was at the North Pole. She tried to breathe but it took a lot of effort!

She didn't know she was sent to the emergency room, she never knew one day she would be in the ICU. Lily was crying, her brother was worried about her. She needed surgery immediately, but they didn't have enough to pay.

She said to her brother and friend. “Please, help me to save other kids. I want to save the other ones with all I have.” Just then, Lily ran in with buckets with coins inside. It’s a donation bucket.

Years later, a new charity called “Kindness Bucket” was established. Susan raised eight hundred and ninety thousand dollars by donation, which has saved 5 children.

The Kindness Bucket