Children are often described as blank slates—tabula rasa—shaped by the teachings, behaviours, and examples they encounter in the world around them. Scientists and philosophers have long debated the extent to which a child’s nature is innate versus learned, but one truth remains: children absorb the lessons they see and feel. This places an immense responsibility on parents, teachers, and caregivers to cultivate kindness in young hearts.

A story comes to mind about a boy named Timi, who lived in a bustling city neighbourhood. Timi was an observant eight-year-old, always watching the world with wide eyes, though he rarely spoke. His father, a shopkeeper, was often short-tempered, his words sharp and hurried. Timi’s mother, a seamstress, worked long hours at home, focused on her sewing machine, barely noticing when Timi tiptoed by.

One evening, while walking home from school, Timi noticed an older woman struggling to lift her shopping bag. He hesitated. Would his father, who always seemed too busy to pause, stop to help her? Would his mother, whose time was so precious, spare a moment for a stranger? Caught between confusion and instinct, Timi decided to follow what he had seen at home: he walked past without offering assistance.

That evening, as Timi recounted his day over dinner, he mentioned the woman. His father barely looked up from his plate, muttering something about people needing to manage their own burdens. But his mother stopped, her needle poised mid-air. “What did you do, Timi?” she asked.

“I just walked by,” Timi replied.

His mother’s face softened with a look Timi had never seen before—a mix of regret and resolve. She set her sewing aside and pulled Timi close. “Timi,” she said, “we help others not because we have time, but because we have hearts. Next time, stop and help.”

The following week, Timi saw another chance to make a difference. A stray puppy had wandered into the schoolyard, trembling and hungry. Some children laughed and poked it with sticks, while others ignored it altogether. Timi remembered his mother’s words and approached the puppy. He knelt down, gently scooping it up. “You’re safe now,” he whispered.

That small act of kindness sparked something bigger. His friends joined in, bringing food and water for the puppy. Soon, it became the school’s unofficial mascot, a source of joy and companionship for everyone. Timi’s single choice—to extend kindness—rippled outward, transforming his community.

As adults, we are the gardeners of the young minds entrusted to us. Children mirror what they see. If they grow up in an environment rich with compassion, they will carry that kindness into the world, planting seeds wherever they go. The lesson is simple: our actions, no matter how small, shape the next generation.

Timi’s story reminds us of this truth. We must nurture empathy in our children, showing them through our deeds that kindness is not a burden but a gift. After all, the world becomes brighter one gentle hand, one kind word, and one thoughtful action at a time.