【推荐3】I was surprised to learn the sleeping arrangements at the log home we were sharing with my in-laws (岳父母) for the week — specifically that my young daughter had agreed to sleep in a first-floor bedroom by herself.

As we settled in, we discussed the number of deer we had spotted on our way up to the log home.

“I hope we see a bear or two this week!” my wife shouted.

At bedtime, my wife and I climbed to the upstairs loft, and my in-laws headed for a bedroom on the first floor. We were about to doze off when our daughter appeared with a worried look on her face. She said a bear was scratching at her window. I decided it would be best if I slept downstairs and my daughter shared the loft with my wife. On my way down, I passed my father-in-law; asleep in front of the television. I was in bed only a couple of minutes when I heard a tap ... tap on the window. Something was indeed out there, but it wasn't a bear — at least that’s what I told myself.

Sometime later, I was awakened by a loud, low-pitched growl. I saw a large figure in the door and froze as it inched closer to me. I realized what it was —only after my father-in-law leaned in to give me a kiss. I blurted out in my deepest voice, “It’s David.” My father-in-law jumped back. We both laughed nervously at the awkward moment, and I explained his granddaughter's bedroom switch. I told him that the only thing scarier than a bear attack was Papa Bear coming in to kiss me good-night. He growled in agreement!

【推荐1】Five weeks ago I had total hip replacement surgery (髋关节置换手术). In Canada, we have a great healthcare system. That means we get our new hips for free.

My hip had been hurting me for years before I went to the doctor. Of course, it was free. She referred me to a surgeon, but the earliest appointment was in 10 months. That is what being free gets you. Ten months later, after some free X-rays, the surgeon told me I needed surgery, which was about an 18-month wait, for some senior citizens had been on the operation list. Another 18 months! I dragged myself out of the surgeon’s office.

Walking through the hospital, I thought about the situation. As the breadwinner of a large family, I couldn’t wait that long, so I had to get to the front line. I was fully aware of what a Canadian should be like (Canadians are usually considered gentle and ca-ring), but this time I really needed to fight for myself. At that very moment, in the shop window of the hospital, I saw a sign which read, “Volunteers Needed.” Suddenly, an idea occurred to me—I would get the job. Fortunately, they signed me up immediately because the average age of the volunteers at the shop was 75. They were desperate for some young blood.

Every Friday morning, I was at the shop. While seeing the hospital staff, I’d casually be asked, What do you do? Then I'd tell them, Well, I'm getting my hip replaced—in 18 months. It’s going to be so great when the pain stops. Soon, all the staff got to know me. Naturally, in my next appointment, the surgeon recognized me. Moments later, I had a surgery date just weeks away.

I had to say it was actually my volunteering that got me to the front of the line. And I’m not ashamed of it, for I intend to stick with the volunteering. Also, even when I cheated the system, I did it in a way that benefits society.

【推荐2】I have a hearing problem, so my son helped me to check in my luggage(行李) at the Dulles International Airport Washington DC. I gave a birthday-quote card pack to a check-in clerk.

Her face was lighted up with a smile, thanking me. It was my first time at the Washington DC airport, so my son asked for a wheelchair to make sure I found the boarding gate. The check-in clerk came out from behind the counter(柜台) and requested my wheelchair from the lady managing it. I was thankful for what they did for me.

The gate was not an easy find for me. My son made the right decision to have the wheelchair. I was greatly thankful for his love and care for me. At the security check, they let me pass with my watch, belt and shoes on.

At the boarding gate, I said that I have a hearing problem and asked an airport official to let me know when my turn to board arrived. Immediately, she helped me to board the plane. I was thankful to her.

On the plane, the middle seat next to me was empty. The lady seated near the window was trying to sleep. I gave up my seat so that she could sleep comfortably. I took the seat in the first row of the section where there was plenty of leg room and no other passenger seated next to me. Kindness paid me back.

On the plane, a little girl dropped a colour pen. I picked it up and gave it to her. Later on, while she was sleeping, she dropped her pillow(枕头) several times, and I put it near her. I try to be of use to those around me, even though I am a bit disabled myself and sometimes even need others’ help.

【推荐2】The job description of a postman doesn’t always include travelling through thick forests, fast-flowing waters and occasionally being run after by wild animals, but for D. Sivan, that is exactly what it is.

Every day for 30 years, this humble postman has been delivering post to some of the most remote villages in Coonoor which are inaccessible by road. Carrying the mail, he walks along the Nilgiri Mountain Railway track, walking through thick forests, crossing slippery streams and walking on railway bridges. Having travelled through the difficult path for 30 years, Mr. Sivan has grown fond of the wild animals he encounters on his daily walks, going so far as to say that they’ve all become his friends. But even his friends have occasionally caused him some trouble, with an elephant once having run after him. He was saved by a truck driver who spotted him and honked at the elephant. The animals recognize him now, though.

As the years rolled by, emails started replacing letter writing. And as more and more people moved from the Nilgiri hills to the plains-the towns of Mettupalayam and Coimbatore, Sivan’s bag became lighter and lighter every day. Many weeks he ended up carrying just 3-4 letter to each village.

One day Sivan noticed that a man to whom he was supposed to deliver his pension had moved to Coimbatore. The man had fallen very sick and was hospitalized. Sivan tracked down the hospital, travelled 80 kms by bus and later car, and delivered the pension. The kind postman even paid for the whole trip himself!

Not all heroes wear a cape(披风); some have white hair and carry a simple bag full of letters. Not all heroes write cool stories on Instagram; some just sit outside a door and read out a son’s letter to his mother.