What's happening? 

The young woman was being loaded into the ambulance. She had fallen off her bicycle. A police officer asked: "Is there anyone who can go with you to the hospital?" 

She had nobody. Her mother was in Belgium. Her friends were on holiday. Suddenly, a stranger spoke up: "I'll go with you". 

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This is a story told on BBC Radio. Each week, listeners can phone in to talk about times strangers have helped them. The radio show is a chance to say thank you to those people. 

Kindness has always been seen as important. One of the most famous stories in the Bible is about the Good Samaritan. It is a parable about a Jewish man who is attacked by bandits. 

Two people walk past. They see the man but do not help. Finally, a third man arrives. He is a Samaritan. His people do not usually get on with the Jews. But the Samaritan helps the Jewish man all the same.  

Now, scientists from The University of Sussex are studying modern kindness. The Kindness Test asks adults to fill in a form. They answer questions about what kindness means to them.  

Kindness has not been studied much before. But there have been some studies in the past. One found that people who spent money on other people were happier. Another showed that people were more likely to be kind if other people were kind too. 

If this is true, it could mean that kindness can be spread just by doing good deeds. 

Some say

Yes! Most people are good, but they get distracted by the rest of life. All it takes is one act of kindness. This inspires us to go out and do good as well! 

Others think 

No! Kindness is about your character. The story of the Good Samaritan is a perfect example. He was kind even when he had no reason to be.