In a touching display of humanity, a compassionate man from Johor offered a grieving woman and her son a free ride to Seremban after learning of their plea for help. The woman, mourning the loss of her husband, faced financial constraints that made it impossible for her to afford the RM874 (S$251) Grab fare for a one-way trip, according to China Press.
The benevolent stranger, not affiliated with any ride-hailing service, spoke to China Press, revealing that his only intention was to assist the grieving mother and her son, who were heading towards a location close to his hometown.
Couldn’t afford Grab fare
The poignant story unfolded when the woman took to Facebook on Saturday, December 9th, expressing her heartfelt wish to travel from Skudai in Johor to Seremban in Negeri Sembilan to attend her husband’s wake. Google Maps estimated the journey to be approximately two hours and 47 minutes.
Upon checking the Grab fare, the woman was confronted with the staggering cost of RM874 (S$251) for a one-way trip, making the return journey an exorbitant RM1,700 (S$488). Desperate for a solution, netizens on Facebook suggested seeking help in private driver groups, while others proposed taking her to and from her destination for RM1,000 (S$287).
Kind samaritan offers to fetch her for free
However, the unexpected twist came when a generous man stepped forward, offering to provide the entire journey for free. Sensing the woman’s financial struggle, he inquired about what she could afford and, upon learning she couldn’t spare much, decided to undertake the trip without charging her.
Remarkably, the man clarified that he wasn’t a private-hire driver but a regular individual headed back to his hometown, conveniently located near Seremban. The woman, overwhelmed with gratitude, updated her Facebook post around 10 pm on December 9th, announcing that she had boarded the kind Samaritan’s car.
“Thank you for allowing me to see my husband one last time,” she expressed emotionally, accompanying her words with several pictures of her and her late husband.
Was on his way home
In an interview with China Press, the compassionate man explained that his decision to assist the grieving family stemmed from the coincidence of heading in the same direction. Downplaying his act of kindness, he stated, “I really don’t think sending them there is a big deal, I was heading home anyway.” He urged people to cultivate kind thoughts and be grateful for the ability to help others.
What makes this story even more extraordinary is that the man isn’t a private-hire driver; he genuinely happened to be on his way home, reaffirming the spontaneous and selfless nature of his goodwill gesture.
As the heartwarming tale circulates, it serves as a poignant reminder of the compassion that exists in the world, even from those who are not bound by any professional obligation to lend a helping hand.
Images source: China Press