A tiny traveller and his proud mom proved that a small gesture can transform an entire journey.
Upington, South Africa (15 August 2025) – Some stories remind us that kindness can be as simple as a note, a smile, and a piece of chocolate and they’re often the ones that stay with us the longest.
Chris Ferrandi, an avid Good Things Guy reader, was on Airlink flight 4Z763 from Johannesburg to Upington on the 14th of August when something special happened. Among the 13 passengers on the small 37-seater plane was a young traveller, just four months old, named Baby Dan, accompanied by his mom, Katryn.
Before take-off, Katryn did something unexpected. She walked down the aisle, stopping at every seat and handed each passenger a small chocolate and a printed note. The note introduced Baby Dan, explained that it was his very first flight and reassured passengers that his mom would do her best to keep him happy and comfortable. It also thanked everyone for their patience and kindness.
“How amazing and cool is that?” Chris told us. “I thought it would classify as a Good Deed, as per The Good Things Guy…”
Katryn explained that she and Baby Dan were on their way to Kgalagadi National Park, where the rest of the family were driving from Joburg to meet them.
She’d decided to fly instead of tackling the 8–10 hour road trip with such a young baby. The flight itself lasted around an hour and a half and Baby Dan was “as good as gold” the entire way. Not a single peep. But even if he had cried, Katryn’s thoughtful gesture had already set a tone of warmth and understanding among the passengers.
We’ve all been on flights where little ones have been unsettled and many parents will tell you how stressful it is when their baby cries in such a confined space. Katryn’s note did more than inform people, it opened the door for empathy. It reminded everyone on board to be a little more tolerant, a little more accommodating and perhaps a little more human.
As Chris put it, “Baby Dan will have such a great story to tell one day about his first flight.”
And maybe that’s the magic of moments like this, kindness inspiring kindness, one small chocolate at a time.
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