Direction: Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow by choosing the correct/most appropriate options:

1. Kindness is a virtue that is rarely found these days. People these days are so busy gratifying their own needs and desires that they overlook that of others. Being kind to others is out of the question for most. Kindness is the quality of being polite and considerate towards others. It is a quality that not everyone possesses. Very few people in this world are blessed with this quality and their presence is a blessing for those around them. As per ancient Greek philosopher and scientist, Aristotle, kindness means “helpfulness towards someone in need, not in return for anything, nor for the advantage of the helper himself, but for that of the person helped”. As per American writer and humorist, Mark Twain, “Kindness is the language which the dumb can speak, the deaf can hear & the blind can see.” As per Talmud, the central text of Rabbinic Judaism, “deeds of kindness are equal in weight to all the commandments.”

2. Kindness simply means being good to people around us. It can be done by being polite to them, offering them emotional support, helping them financially, boosting their morale, or simply being supportive to them. Kind words and kind deeds are done by us are not only a boon for the recipient but are also a blessing to us. When we help others with their tasks, are polite to them, and do other such acts of kindness it gives us a sense of accomplishment and joy. Kindness has been described differently in different religious books and literature in the past. However, they all echo the same thought. All of them advocate that human beings must show kindness to other human beings as well as other creatures. We must be polite, friendly, and helpful. While we should exhibit kindness we must not do it with the aim of getting anything in return. Kindness is a selfless act.

3. If God has been kind enough to give us the things we need we must be kind to others and render help in whatever way we can. As Lord Buddha said, “A generous heart, kind speech and a life of service and compassion are the things that renew humanity”. A person with a pleasant disposition and a concern for others is said to be kind. Such people are empathetic towards others. They help those around them whenever there is a need and never hesitate to go out of their way to bring a smile to other people’s faces. Showing kindness towards others does not necessarily mean doing something big for them. It can be something as small as being polite and offering emotional support to someone. It can be something as tiny as passing a smile to the old lady who sits all alone in her balcony watching people go by or giving a small bite of your bread to the sparrow that tweets on your terrace every day. Such acts of kindness don’t take much but can make a big difference in the other person’s life.

4. You don’t have to be a millionaire to offer help and be nice to people around. You just need to have a good heart. Each one of us has something to give to the world. We just need to recognize what it is. Besides, we need to understand the need to be kind to people around us. We need to understand that the world would become a much better place if people are kind to each other. By being kind to other people we do not only help them and light a smile on their face but also feel good at a deeper level. It gives a sense of satisfaction. People must be kind to those around them and see how things change for good. Being kind to others, helping them, and spreading smiles do not only do good to the recipients but also offer a deep sense of satisfaction to the one who indulges in the act.