A taxi driver in China has been applauded online for waiving the fare of a young boy and teaching him how to communicate when he is short of money.
The video of the incident from the taxi’s surveillance camera has trended on social media after it was reported by state media CCTV, garnering more than 1.2 million likes.
On the afternoon of May 17, a boy, who is about 10 years old, took a taxi alone in Zunyi, southwestern Guizhou province.
While stuck in a traffic jam he became anxious and called his mother on his smartphone.
“Mum, the traffic is bad, all the lights are red. There is still a long way to home, but the fare already reached 9.4 yuan (US$1.3) and I only have 10 yuan in my pocket,” said the boy.
At this point, his phone ran out of power, making the boy cry from helplessness and anxiety.
On the boy’s conversation with his mother and seeing him in tears, the driver, surnamed Wang, told him not to cry, especially because he was a male.
When the boy said he did not have enough money to cover the fare, Wang said: “It is fine, kid. If the fee goes higher than 10 yuan, I will not charge you.”
“Thank you uncle,” the boy replied.
Noticing that the boy was in a better mood, Wang patiently advised him that he should learn to communicate because “the mouth is a good tool”.
“There are some ways to solve this situation. For example, you can tell me in advance that perhaps the money you have will not be enough. When the fare meter reaches 10 yuan, you can get out. This is one solution,” said Wang.
“For most drivers like me, it is no problem for us to drive on for a bit more distance. There will be no big loss for me. I regard it as doing a good deed,” he added.
The boy told Wang he often takes a taxi and it usually costs him nine yuan. It is not clear why the boy travels alone.
Wang took the boy safely to his residential community. The metre read 12 yuan but he only charged the boy 10 yuan (US$1.4).
“I treat other people’s kids kindly, so other people will treat my kids kindly too,” Wang told the media.
Wang has a daughter and a son who are about the age of the boy in his taxi.
Wang said he often drives child passengers.
“They are twittering happily in my car. This aroused my desire to protect them,” he said.
With the news going viral on social media, mainland internet users praised Wang’s kindness.
“One internet user sent a message offering to pay the boy’s taxi fares. Another person who runs a fruit stall said she would like to send me a box of fruit as a gift to my kids. I have turned down all such kind offers,” said Wang. -- SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
