Miguel De Cervantes Saavedra's masterpiece Don Quixote is the story of a good-hearted but fumbling and impoverished nobleman who imagines himself to be the ideal knight. In the end, Quixote dies, but the lessons of his kindness remain as a legacy for his peasant sidekick, Sancho Panza.
Kindness is at the center of the fellowship between these two friends. They consistently follow a simple rule: They must listen and try to understand each other. They may see things differently, but the more they disagree, the more considerate they are. We'd all like to be treated kindly notwithstanding our human flaws. We need to treat each other the same way. A simple act of kindness has the effect of calming turmoil of all kinds, and of helping everyone to be more receptive to the presence of divine Love.
Across the street from where I live is a little park. One evening the air was pierced by a voice that came from a man who was apparently disturbed by something, and who continued to rant for hours. Around 11 o' clock that evening, a neighbor went to see how he could help, and saw the man sitting on a bench. Just then, an elderly man with a cane approached. My neighbor felt concerned that the elderly man was placing himself in some danger. As he was thinking about what to do, the elderly man calmly seated himself next to the raving man. Shortly thereafter, all was quiet. I don't know whether a word was spoken, but the man must have felt the calm presence of that kind man. Attentive kindness has a way of making us feel secure, because there is love in kindness.
