【Description】
At a pivotal time in World War II, Dwight D. Eisenhower had no idea that his kindness would change the course of the war.
【Content】
This is the story of Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th president of the USA. During World War II, he was the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe. Once, he and his men were in France, driving back to headquarters to attend an urgent military meeting. It was snowing heavily that day. After driving for a while, they saw an old French couple shivering by the roadside. Their car had broken down. They stopped to help.
The couple’s car wouldn’t start. They were on their way back to Paris. At the time, Eisenhower wasn’t headed to Paris, but out of kindness, he offered the couple a ride because he thought it was dangerous for them to be out in such harsh weather. He was going to be late for the meeting, but he insisted they go to Paris. So, it was decided — they changed course, and the meeting could wait. For this, they had to abandon the original route they were supposed to take. That was to be expected, since they planned to go to Paris before heading to the meeting place.
What they didn’t know was that the original route they were supposed to take had been leaked to the Nazis. Adolf Hitler’s spies already knew the original route they were supposed to take. As a result, Nazi forces lay in wait, setting up an ambush to kill Eisenhower and his men. They knew that if the commander-in-chief died, the entire Allied forces would collapse. That would mean a victory for the Nazis.
What the Nazis didn’t know was that Eisenhower took a different route due to taking the elderly couple to Paris. This way, they entirely avoided the ambush. In short, Hitler and Eisenhower missed each other. If it weren’t for this act of kindness, the course of World War II might have changed. The Nazis might have won — who knows?
Here, kindness saved a life. Eisenhower’s men were relieved, because kindness had saved their lives as well. The rest is history; the Allied forces won the war against the Nazis. Eisenhower’s heroic leadership during World War II won the hearts of many. He later became the 34th president of the USA. When world leaders or people in power act with kindness, they benefit not only themselves but also those around them. Who knows, helping others might bring peace to the world. This is truly significant.
For a man of such stature, a small act of kindness, such as helping an elderly couple by the roadside, brought great merit. Many towering trees begin as seeds smaller than a coin. But as they grow, they become huge, towering trees.
(Never neglect to perform small acts of kindness; a single compassionate thought can change fate.)