This happened several years ago, but I still remember it pretty well.

When I was about 5 or 6, my older brother took me to the circus. Like every other child there, I was super excited to get my little balloon animal.

However, due to being a rather careless child, It accidentally popped. This was devastating to me at the time. I remember sitting my seat, crying quietly and being so sad about it, when the a little boy of probably 7 or 8, who was sitting behind me, tapped my shoulder.

I turned around and looked at him, and I saw him holding out his own balloon animal, a little parrot. I was surprised to say the least, and I asked if I could really have it. He smiled at me and nodded, and I remember my entire mood changed.

I kept that parrot for around two to three months until it eventually deflated. It’s always been something I’ve remembered, and when I start to feel like I’m losing my faith in humanity, I go back and think about that day.