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.

On a cool autumn day, Stephanie was sitting on a bench, golden leaves from the sky. An autumn breeze blew, making her hair fly. Under the hair was a beautiful face. She had two big, shiny eyes, under it was a small nose and a small red mouth. Her hair was as black as ink and her lips as red as a strawberry.

An old lady walked by, using a walking stick. She tripped on a stone. Oranges scattered everywhere. Stephanie bent down, using her slender, jade hands to pick the oranges from the floor for the old lady. The old lady thanked her. Stephanie just smiled a little and walked away.

After walking for a while, Stephanie arrived at the playground near her home and saw a little boy quietly sobbing in a corner. He was upset because he accidentally flew his favorite toy plane in the tall bushes but he couldn't reach it. It was his birthday present from his mother. It was a cool red plane with black stripes on it. Other children were busy playing and ignoring him.

Stephanie frowned, “What a bunch of thoughtless kids.” She believed that showing kindness to those in need was everyone’s responsibility.

She stood on tiptoe to reach for the toy and carefully moved the sharp branches aside so she wouldn't get cut. She looked through the dirt for a long time.

Just as she was about to give up, a gust of wind blew and the plane took off! It did a few loops, then went flying everywhere like a real plane. The boy’s face lit up. He jumped to catch it but was too short to reach it. Stephanie leaped up and snatched the flying plane, smooth like butter.

The little kid gave Stephanie a bright smile and said, “Thank you, you saved my day. You are my hero.”

Stephanie knelt down and patted his head, then said, “Piece of cake, kiddo.” This simple act of help had filled Stephanie’s heart with warmth, like being warmed by a sun from the inside.

Suddenly, a storm came. Stephanie hurried home. She put her hand in her pocket but it wasn’t there! She searched everywhere but it disappeared! She thought, “Aww man, I must have dropped it in the bushes.”

Stephanie rushed back to the park, she searched in the bushes but it was no use. Then, an umbrella appeared above her head; it was the old lady before!

She smiled and said, “Don’t get wet, my dear. The boy before was my grandchild. Thanks for helping him out. Also, are you looking for something?”

The boy came running this way. He said he would help Stephanie no matter what. They searched in the bushes and finally saw something shiny: Stephanie’s keys!

Stephanie realized, what goes around, comes around. If you help someone, you will be repaid.

What Goes Around, Comes Around