“Brother, I have repaid each of the favors of the past, your wish has come true.”
On August 20, on a hill in Yichang, Hubei Province, China, Song Laibo knelt before his brother’s grave and confided with red eyes. Half a month ago, Song Laibo had made a list of “repayments”:
“103 households in the village, 12 households in other villages, each household repays the favor. Under 10 yuan (35 thousand VND) pay 100 yuan (350 thousand VND), over 10 yuan (350 thousand VND) pay 20 times, total 31,100 yuan (109 million VND). This is my brother’s way of expressing his gratitude.”
This unexpected return not only made the old benefactors and their families feel cared for, but also created warm ripples online.
Villagers read the thank you letter they received (Source: People’s Daily)
Song Laibo, 39 years old, has had a turbulent life. His parents passed away when he was only 2 years old. Since then, he and his older brother, who is 2 years older, have relied on each other and their grandfather to survive.
In 1999, his grandfather passed away. The following year, Song Laibo’s older brother was unfortunately severely burned on his face and upper body in an accident. At the call of the village committee, neighbors and kind-hearted people from other villages donated 115 sums of money, totaling more than 1,000 yuan, to help him receive timely treatment.
The support and encouragement from those hearts was the motivation for Song Laibo’s brother to get up and was also the most valuable asset in his life, lighting up hope in difficult times.
Each help was meticulously recorded and treasured by the older brother. The two brothers Song Laibo promised each other that they would definitely repay the favor one day. The promise of the past, the call of morality, the urge of conscience made Song Laibo persistently search for the old notebook after his older brother passed away so that he could repay those kindnesses.
Group photo of Song Laibo (middle) and his brother (first from right) (Source: People’s Daily)
The ancients used to say: “Receive a drop, repay a stream”. In difficult times, even if you receive a small favor from others, you should double your actions in the future to repay those who have helped you. The notebook of gratitude that the elder brother always kept carefully at that time conveyed loyalty to memories, perseverance in feelings, and gratitude towards others through each neat handwriting.
Not taking other people’s help lightly, not taking other people’s generosity for granted, always remembering other people’s good things, never neglecting their kindness, that is the most vivid way to show appreciation, the deepest proof of sincerity.
But Laibo still cherished his brother’s last wish. Following the standard of “repaying 100 yuan for amounts below 10 yuan and sending 20 times the amount for amounts above 10 yuan,” he made a list of gratitude and prepared more than 100 thank-you letters and 31,100 yuan in cash. The handwritten letters accompanied by several times the amount of money moved the old benefactors to tears.
After being posted on social media, the story attracted a lot of attention. A netizen shared:
“A good person does not ask for anything in return, and a person who is helped does not forget the favor. This is the most beautiful two-way journey.”
Indeed, good people are like the sunshine in our lives, warm and bright. Only those who always remember that light can spread the power of love, the empathy of kindness. That is also the attitude towards life. Do not forget the little good things in life. Only in this way can you have a sincere relationship and warm your heart with love.