A young girl with a heart full of kindness noticed a forlorn boy wandering aimlessly on the street. Her instincts told her to bring him into her home. The boy, visibly hungry and confused, mistakenly began eating the dog’s food. The girl quickly stopped him and offered a real meal, not knowing how this gesture would change their lives forever.

“Come with me,” said Samantha, a little girl barely five or six years old, to the young boy on the street. His eyes were red and he sniffled, looking around shyly. He seemed to be about her age. Samantha, thinking swiftly, decided to take him home. She believed her mother would know just what to do.

The boy followed her through the kitchen’s back door, hesitant but curious. “Mom!” Samantha called out, looking around. “She must be in the shower. What’s your name?” she asked.

“Luke,” the boy whispered. This response filled Samantha with more questions. Where were his parents? Was he healthy? Most importantly, was he hungry? Would her mother be upset? These thoughts raced through her young mind as she awaited her mother’s return.

Samantha could never have imagined that Luke would soon become such an integral part of her world.

As she waited, Samantha noticed Luke by her dog. Initially, she thought he was playing, but the crunching sounds told a different story. To her amazement, he was munching on the dog kibble.

“Stop! Don’t eat my dog’s food!” she exclaimed, rushing over and gently pushing the kibble from his small hands.

“But, I’m hungry,” he muttered, eyes cast down in embarrassment.

Samantha, too young to fully grasp the harshness of the boy’s life, could still feel compassion. “Don’t worry. My mom will make us some real food soon,” she reassured him.

Just then, Lane, Samantha’s mother, entered the kitchen and was taken aback at the sight of an unfamiliar child. Her daughter quickly explained, adding that he was hungry.

Lane immediately whipped up some food for the children, noticing how ravenously Luke ate. She knew he hadn’t been cared for properly.

They watched a movie after dinner while Lane made a few phone calls. Nobody in the Virginia neighborhood seemed to know the boy’s origin, so Lane reached out to the authorities.

It turned out that Luke had fled a foster home just a few blocks away. His parents had perished in a fire, and he had initially been taken to a shelter, then placed with foster care. Yet, this scared little boy continually ran away, wandering the neighborhood until someone discovered him and called the police. Each time, he was safely returned, though he repeatedly ran away.

Soon, someone would arrive to take Luke back. Meanwhile, the kids finished their movie, and Samantha settled into her homework. Lane overheard her daughter telling Luke that she wanted to be a doctor one day and needed to study diligently. This brought a proud smile to Lane’s face; her daughter showed empathy and resolve. More importantly, she saw how the boy hung onto Samantha’s words. It was a warming sight.

This connection would prove to be the beginning of something special for all of them.

When his foster parents came to pick him up, Luke made a promise. If he could attend the same school as Samantha, he would never run away again. His foster parents readily agreed, acknowledging the difficulty he had faced since losing his family.

Soon enough, Luke was enrolled in the local kindergarten and from then on, he and Samantha were inseparable. Always a guest in her home, tirelessly studying, respecting grown-ups, and never running away again. Two years after, he was formally adopted by his foster family.

Twelve years flew by and both Samantha and Luke, now 18, were gearing up for graduation. Both had been accepted into Harvard, and it was during this transition that Luke found his courage. He invited Samantha to prom, having saved up all year from his part-time job to rent a stunning white limousine for the night.

Underneath the glittering lights of the dance, Luke finally asked the question he had been holding since childhood.

“Do you remember, Samantha,” he began while they danced, “how you stopped me from eating dog food that one night? I knew I would marry you then.”

“We’re just 18!” Samantha giggled, nudging him playfully.

“It’s true,” Luke replied gently, “we’ve got time and there’s no rush. I just wanted you to know there’s no one else for me. I’ve loved you since I was five. So, will you marry me?”

Samantha blushed and nodded slightly, as they shared their first tender kiss. That was just the beginning of many more.

The years rolled by with Luke and Samantha staying steadfast together through all phases—pre-med, medical school, residency, and many internships. They eventually established their own medical practice and had their wedding. Their life grew richer with the arrival of two sons and the adoption of three daughters.

Now, both were driven to assist as many orphaned children as possible by donating to charities, volunteering, and offering complementary medical services. It was as if their love was predestined, encoded in the stars…or perhaps, in a medical book.

Lessons from this story: Samantha’s reaction to help Luke in his time of need without hesitation teaches us to instill a sense of compassion and support for others in our children.

Luke reciprocated this kindness and went on to give back, alongside his beloved wife, offering selflessly to those in need. Unfortunately, it’s something the world could use—more stories like these to inspire and remind us of the good in humanity.