Everyone knows that 14 February is Valentine's Day, a day when people spend money on cards, flowers and romantic meals for the people they love. But did you know that 14 February is also Generosity Day? It's a chance to do something nice for someone you don't know. For example, buy a stranger a coffee, smile at ten people you see on the street or give someone who looks sad a hug! So this year, why not doing a bit different?
Share the Love
Have you ever done something nice for a stranger? What did
you do? Has a stranger ever helped you in any way? Write and let us know.
01. SALLY_TM
Last week while I was running, I fell and hurt my knee quite badly. A few moments later, an older woman stopped in her car. She helped me to stand up and drove me to the corner shop to get some ice. Then she waited around until my husband came to get me. It was the nicest thing a stranger has ever done to me.
02. @HELPHAITI
I have been to Haiti three times to do volunteer work and I am paying for a young man to finish his high school there. He's doing really well. He just needed someone to give him a chance. I am not rich, but with my credit card anything is possible.
03. NEIL50
On my fiftieth birthday, I was in a queue in a café and l noticed that everyone looked really stressed. I made my mind up to buy drinks for everyone in the queue and l gave the waitress a big tip, too. It was great to see everyone's faces -I made them all smile!
04. THATGEORGEKID
Strangers have helped me lots of times, and I've helped them too. I've given people directions, I've picked up hitchhikers ... A few weeks ago, I made a new friend when I called 999. I saw this guy lying on the street and I tried to wake him up, but I couldn't. The ambulance came and he's OK now. He thinks l'm a hero, but l just did what was right.
05. MAYA FLOWER
I've never seen a serious accident, so l've never had the chance to save someone's life, like George. But I often help strangers: for example, I buy meals for homeless people and l give away my old clothes to charity. I try to be generous in small ways that don't cost anything, like listening to people when they are lonely, or making a joke when people look bored.
READING
A.Look at the picture. What are the people doing? How do you think they're feeling? Why?
B.Read about Generosity Day. Do you think it's a good idea? Would you like to try it? What would you like to do?
C.Read the Share the LOVE forum. Which people mention...?
.helping other people
.receiving help from other people
.What kind of help did each person mention?
D.Work in pairs. Read the text again. What do the highlighted words mean?
E.Which writer in the forum do you think is the most generous? Why?