Just a few days ago, as we celebrated Purim, Shaul and I came to the house of Yossi (featured a few months ago in “A Tzadik has come to the City”). He greeted us with a tremendous smile and said to Shaul, “Come dance with me— it’s Purim. It’s important to be happy on Purim!”

In truth, Shaul was already happy just being in Yossi’s house. Just a few minutes before, when I told Shaul that we were going to deliver mishloach manos to Yossi, a big smile came across his face and he just kept saying, “Yossi, Yossi.”

This incident got me thinking about a different happy occurrence on a different Purim with a different child of mine.

Avigdor must have been 10 years old at the time. He did not go to the same school or camp as the other children in our shul. Since he was naturally shy, it stood to reason that he did not have many peers with whom he played on Shabbos. This is why it was so surprising when Dovid showed up at our door with mishloach manos in hand. Though it’s been 15 years, I remember it like it was yesterday.

“Can you please give this mishloach manos to Avigdor?” I couldn’t believe it! A boy from our shul had come to give our son mishloach manos — it was too good to be true!

“Wait here,” I said. “I’ll go get Avigdor, he’s just in the other room; I’m sure he’ll want to give you something too!”

“No,” Dovid replied, “it’s not necessary. I didn’t come to receive anything — just to give to Avigdor. I really have to go. Have a wonderful Purim!”

“Wait just a few seconds,” I said. “Avigdor is here. He’ll be so happy to see you. I’m getting him right now.”

However, Dovid was not kidding. In the few seconds it took for Avigdor to come back with a mishloach manos to give in return, Dovid was already closing the door of his father’s car. Both he and his father waved at the same time and called out, “Happy Purim.”

I couldn’t believe it. This boy, who could certainly be categorized as a peer of our son but not a friend, had taken time out of his Purim to deliver mishloach manos personally to Avigdor, who did not get a lot of visitors that day (to say the least!). I was so impressed but was also nervous as to how Avigdor would handle not having been able to reciprocate.

I didn’t have to worry. When I turned to Avigdor, he was looking adoringly at the package he had received and had a smile that went from ear to ear. In fact, that smile did not leave his face all day.

Dovid had completely made Avigdor’s Purim. He had extended himself beyond his friend group and transformed Avigdor’s Purim into such a happy one with the “small” act of giving a very simple but respectable mishloach manos.

This beautiful act repeated itself the next twoPurims as well. No matter how much we did to prepare for it, Dovid always caught us by surprise and was able to deliver food (and a smile!) without ever needing anything in return.

Although Dovid and Avigdor eventually went their separate ways, I believe that this “small” act of tzidkus allowed Avigdor to become someone who values friendships. For example, I have received countless compliments about Avigdor who makes sure to reach out to numerous friends and acquaintances before Shabbos and Yom Tov just to touch base and say “Hi.”

In his own way, Avigdor is paying forward the chesed he received all those years ago. It is so heartwarming to see that being a tzaddik does not have to wait until adulthood; it can start from a very young age. I would know— I witnessed it with my own eyes!