There is a story I heard a long ago of a foolish traveller. Upon travelling the foolish traveller was tricked by an elderly woman, asking for money. he smiled and gave her all his money. Next, he was approached by many others, each time he would give a piece of his clothing, and each time they would laugh, until he was left wearing nothing. In which he decided to travel beneath the dark woods away from all who could see him bare-skinned.

In the dark woods, he was met by goblins who were hungry. With nothing to give, he allowed them to eat one of his legs, then an arm, then more and more, before it was over, all the traveller had left was his head. Even his eyes had been taken from him.

As the goblin was leaving, he said to the traveller, “Thank you, traveller, in return I leave you this present”. What the goblin left was a slip of paper with the words fool left written on it. With no eyes, the traveller cried in joy, telling the goblin, “Thank you! This is the first present anyone’s ever given me, I’m so happy”

Was he foolish or just kind?

Although remembered as a foolish traveller, he was kind but, taken advantage of. Tricked by all, he gave everything and asked for nothing. Yet when he received the slip of paper, he found joy not because it was a gift of value, but because it was something. In that moment, the traveller’s kindness was not transactional, but unconditional, a pure offering, regardless of return or recognition.

To me, this speaks to the heart of what kindness truly means. His kindness went beyond gaining something back. It carried no desire for transaction, only the quiet intent to help. Even when stripped bare and vulnerable, the traveller’s ability to appreciate what little was given reveals the depth of his generous spirit. Kindness goes beyond gain. It’s the act of expecting nothing, of serving regardless of outcome. When we’re too kind, we’re often reprimanded, told to stop in the face of trickery or exploitation.

But why?

Is it foolish to be kind — or foolish to only be kind when there’s something to gain?