Every morning in Lagos, a commercial bus driver named Ade followed the same route through the busy streets of the city. Over time, he became familiar with many of his regular passengers. Some boarded quietly. Some greeted him cheerfully. Others spent the journey scrolling through their phones. Among them was an elderly woman who always sat in the same seat. Third row. By the window. Every single morning. She never missed a day. After months of seeing her, her presence became part of Ade’s routine. Then one week, something changed. The seat remained empty. Monday passed. Then Tuesday. Then Wednesday. Still no sign of her. Though he barely knew her name, Ade found himself glancing toward the empty seat each morning. He wondered if she was sick. Or perhaps traveling. Days turned into a week. Then one morning, she finally stepped onto the bus again. Ade immediately smiled. “Mama! Where have you been? We were worried about you.” The woman looked surprised. “You were worried about me?” “Yes,” Ade replied. “Your seat has been empty for days.” For a moment, she was silent. Then her eyes filled with tears. She explained that she had been ill and was recovering at home. Before sitting down, she said something Ade never forgot: “Most people think nobody notices them. Thank you for proving me wrong.” The bus ride felt different that day. Ade realized that small acts of kindness carry great power. A greeting, a smile, or simply noticing someone can make a huge difference. Many people are fighting silent battles and carrying burdens nobody sees. Sometimes, the greatest gift you can offer is making someone feel valued. Have you ever experienced a small act of kindness that stayed with you for years?
