Stories by freeHUGSrock (6 matches)

An Unforgettable Classroom Exercise

One day, a teacher asked her students to list the names of the other students in the room on two sheets of paper, leaving a space between each name. Then she told them to think of the nicest thing they could say about each of their classmates and write it down.  It took the remainder of the class period to finish their assignment, and as the students left the room, each one handed in the papers. That Saturday, the teacher wrote down the name of each student on a separate sheet of paper, and listed what everyone else had said about that individual. On Monday she gave each student his or her list. Before long, the entire class was smiling. "Really?" she heard whispered. "I never knew that I meant anything to anyone!" and, "I didn't know others liked me so much," were most of the comments. No one ever mentioned those papers in class ... Read Full Story >>

The Bouncy Ball That Changed Me

This is not a story that describes kindness that I have done but rather kindness that I have received and in a way the kindness that you receive gives energy to the kindness that you show to others. Last night I entered myself into a poetry slam. It was very rushed. Very last minute and I was unprepared. Yet I really wanted to do it. I have wanted to get out and perform one of my poems for a while now. So without the support of my family, I got up in front of a group of people and got ready to present my poem. The slam was a competition but I did not expect to win. Judges were randomly chosen from the audience by having bouncy ball thrown out into their midst to see who would catch them. As it is with most slams performers had 2 minutes to impress ... Read Full Story >>

Painting Mindil with Smiles

I live in a small town in the north of Australia. It's not much and it's only starting to be a little more known because some scenes in the movie "Australia" are being filmed there. However, before the movie and resident of my town would tell you that it's famous for Mindil. For people who don't know, Mindil is referring to the Mindil Beach Markets which are held on Mindil beach every Thursday and Sunday night in the dry season. So that's the basics you need to know. I was down at mindil on Thursday night last week in the last few days of my holidays. It was busy and there was lots going on. I had recently received my 70 smile cards all the way from America. I was excited and ready to paint a smile on the face of Mindil. I went prepared. Bright coloured clothed, rainbow shoelaces and ... Read Full Story >>

Africans and Australian Aboriginees

My father works as a trainer and writes courses to benefit the native people of Australia as well as to help both Aboriginal people and White people work together without any strife. Last night, my dad came up with a new idea to solve some of the problems occurring in our town. There are a lot of African refugees coming in and the local Aboriginal kids have been getting into some serious fights with the African kids. My Dad organised a group of African people to visit an Aboriginal community, so as to reconcile some differences. Now get this... When my dad showed up at the community with the African people, he was shocked by how well everything went. In fact, a few old Aboriginal women approached some of the African women and took their hands. They were talking as though they had known each other for a lifetime and then without ... Read Full Story >>

Free Hugs -- Hug The World

Hug the World   Welcome to the planet Earth It can seem quite sad and cold Never fear there’s someone here With a heart of shining gold So let me tell you a story One that started with a hug And maybe by the end of it You’ll do more than shrug   Our story starts in Australia A truly sunburned land With ever stretching coastlines Of lovely, pure, white sand Now let’s zoom in on Sydney And a busy shopping mall Where people seem so distant Like they don’t care at all   At first he looks quite normal No different from the throng But as he stands with his arms raised His message is loud and strong FREE HUGS is all the sign says The people laugh and point Who is this man? They wonder Will he hug or disappoint?   But still he stands, the sign held high His message is clear as day And then the people realise He’s changing the world his way Then someone comes up to him Looking down and out “I sure could use a hug he ... Read Full Story >>

Accidental Firefighters

Where I live, July 1st means firecrackers!   Last year, we had just finished lighting off a heap of firecrackers on the beach and had watched the show, so we started walking home. That's when we saw the smoke.

Near the museum (about 50m away) there was a bushfire. The dry grass and pandanas were burning away with no intention of stopping. The museum cafe staff were trying to put it out but they were only two women and having a hard time of it.

As we were leaving, one of the cafe chefs called out to my dad: "They're some great kids you got there, you know?" My dad just smiled and nodded.

I don't think anybody ever found out it was us that put out the fire. We weren't made honorary firefighters but what that cafe chef said made it all worthwhile!

The Bouncy Ball That Changed Me

Miles of Smiles

No Glass Ceiling, Just Blue Sky

87 Year Old Woman Named Rose

The Back-packer Who Stayed For 12 Months

Safer For All Children

Pushing A Cart