09/09/2026
As school is back in session, here is a powerful little story for all students. Teachers, parents, and educators may wish to share this story with students and use it as an opportunity to emphasize the practice of Kindfulness—combining mindfulness with kindness in our everyday lives. Let’s make Kindfulness a way of life!
Once there was a little girl named Maya.
Maya was new at school. On her first day, she sat quietly at the lunch table by herself. She didn’t know anyone.
During lunchtime, she noticed another child sitting alone. His name was Sam. Sam spoke very little and looked nervous.
Maya thought, “Maybe he doesn’t want to talk to me.”
But then she remembered something her grandmother had taught her:
“Whenever you see someone who looks lonely, build a little bridge of kindness.”
So Maya smiled at Sam and said,
“Hi! Would you like to sit with me?”
Sam looked surprised. Then he smiled.
“Yes,” he said softly.
They began talking.
Maya learned that Sam had just moved to the city. He missed his old friends. Sam learned that Maya loved drawing pictures.
Soon, they were laughing together.
A few days later, another child joined them. Then another. Before long, many children were sitting together at lunchtime.
Their teacher noticed what was happening and asked Maya,
“How did you bring everyone together?”
Maya smiled and said,
“I didn’t build a real bridge. I just built a bridge with kindness.”
The teacher smiled.
“That is the most beautiful kind of bridge.”
Bhante Saranapala
The Urban Buddhist Monk
