Car Guard's Kindness Sticks with Man Years Later

Photo Credit: Byron Levi

A car guard’s kindness from years ago still has a special place in one man’s heart. At a time when he really needed a reason to smile, a car guard’s act brought tears of joy to his eyes:

Cape Town, South Africa (06 June 2024) — A car guard’s kindness from years ago still has a special place in singer and songwriter Byron Levi’s heart. In a story that reminds us never to underestimate the power of a small act, Byron recalls what happened on a fateful day in 2021 when amid many lemons, life threw him some selfless sweetness.

Setting the scene, Byron recalls how at the time, he was unemployed. He and his wife did not have money to see themselves through day-to-day necessities to the point where having enough petrol in the car was a stretch.

“I remember vividly [one day] we needed a bread for the house, however we had no petrol in the car for the ride to Checkers,” Byron shares.

Nonetheless, Byron took a gamble with fate and drove to Checkers, albeit uncomfortably, unsure how long the petrol would last.

He managed to get to the shops and purchase the bread, but upon getting back into his car, he realised the car could not start due to the lack of fuel.

A car guard saw him in the uncomfortable situation, and came over to see what the door slamming was about.

“He said “good man” what’s going on?” to which Byron reluctantly and with a sense of embarrassment explained that his car had no fuel.

“He then left and arrived 30min later with a jerry can with petrol in it and said here this is for you. I look at him and said…what??” Byron recalls of the moment.

The car guard then explained that he used the money he made that day to get the petrol. Despite Byron protesting and questioning him on why he would do that if he needed the money himself, the car guard merely smiled graciously and reassured him that the gift was his, and further that it was an honour to help out because of Byron’s ever positive attitude towards him.

The car guard’s kindness spurred tears in Byron’s eyes.

“All I could say was thank you “good man”,” Byron shares.

“What’s the lesson in this? Let me tell you, let your friendliness be known to all for in the day of discomfort it might hold you in good stead. Everybody needs somebody so don’t think you’re different from the rest, treat people with kindness and respect “all people” even the ones society deems as dejected and would want to ostracise.”—Byron Levi.