A taxi driver in China who waived part of the fare for an elementary school student who burst into tears because he was short on money has gone viral, with the video drawing more than one million likes.
According to the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post (SCMP) on the 26th, the incident occurred on the 17th in Zunyi, Guizhou province, China. A boy of about 10 years old boarded the taxi without a guardian and grew anxious as the meter rose quickly while passing through congested traffic.
In-vehicle closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage captured the boy calling his mother and pleading, "The traffic is so bad and the fare is already 9.4 yuan (about 2,000 won). I only have 10 yuan (about 2,200 won) in my pocket." When his phone battery died mid-call, the child eventually broke into tears.
The driver, identified as A, reassured the boy, telling him, "I won't take more than 10 yuan, so don't worry." He added, "Your mouth is a good tool, so you need to learn how to communicate. If you don't have enough money, you can say so in advance." A drove the child safely to his residence, and although the final meter reading showed 12 yuan (about 2,600 won), he accepted only 10 yuan as promised.
In an interview with local media, A said, "The child looked so anxious that I felt for him," adding, "As a parent of two children, I would want someone to treat my own children kindly if they were in the same situation."
The video spread rapidly on Chinese social media, drawing more than one million likes. Local netizens responded with comments such as "A memory that will stay with the child for life" and "Proof that the world is still warm." Some offered to cover the boy's taxi fare or send fruit, but A said he declined all such offers. "If someone shows kindness to my children, that is enough," he added.
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