The Last Kind Human - By Blessy Varughese

Written By: BLESSY VARUGHESE

Category: ESSAY

Competition: Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In her poignant essay, "The Last Kind Human," Blessy Varughese delves into the subtle power of kindness within the hustle of contemporary life. Participating in the esteemed Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, her work captivates with its exploration of how simple acts of gratitude can ripple through an entire community. This reflective piece invites readers to ponder the profound impact of empathy amidst the distractions of a fast-paced world.

About the Work

Blessy Varughese's essay artfully captures the essence of kindness as a transformative force. Through the character of Maya, she illustrates a world where small, compassionate acts gradually revive a sense of community and humanity. The narrative is rich with imagery, using the metaphor of a candle to symbolize how a single act of kindness can illuminate the lives of many. The essay's gentle tone encourages readers to appreciate and cultivate these essential human connections.

THE LAST KIND PERSON

Original Submission by BLESSY VARUGHESE

The Last Kind Human

One morning, Maya found herself the only person in the city who still said, “Thank you.” Nobody saw. That was the trouble. There had been little kindness in the city once. People smiled at strangers, held doors for each other, helped someone carry a heavy bag and offered their seats to older people. But things had slowly altered-no war, no earthquake, no terrible announcement on television. Kindness had just turned into a pain. People were too busy to stop, too distracted to notice, too caught up with themselves to care about others.

Maya understood at the bakery close to her home. The baker handed her a hot loaf of bread, and she smiled and said, “Thank you”. The baker looked at her in puzzlement.

“Why?” he said.

Maya blinked her eyes. "Why what?" "

"Why did you say that?"

“Because you gave me the bread,” she answered.

The baker shrugged. That’s what I do.

Customers were already queuing behind her. No one smiled at the baker. No one thanked him. Everyone just wanted what they came for and to go. Maya carried the warm loaf close to her chest as she left the bakery. For once she asked herself what had happened to her city.

She began to notice it everywhere. In the school hallway, a boy dropped his books. Students passed on by, without stopping. One student even stepped over his notebook. Maya knelt on her knees and began gathering the scattered books.

Here,” she said.

The boy looked astonished. "You don't have to," he said.

"I know," said Maya.

“Then why do you assist?”

Maya passed him the last book and smiled. “You need help.”

The boy was silent for a moment. Then he said softly, “Thank you.”

That was the first genuine smile Maya had seen all day.

That night Maya asked her grandmother when people had stopped being nice. Her grandmother was silent for a moment, then opened an old wooden box filled with photographs. The images depicted neighbours sharing food, children playing together, strangers helping one another and people smiling without expecting anything in return.

“What happened?” Maya enquired.

Her grandmother sighed. “We got busy.”

“Busy?” “

“Always chasing money. Busy building careers. Busy getting important. Busy staring at screens. Busy proving we mattered.”

She paused and ran a finger lightly over one of the pictures.

“And somewhere along the way we forgot that making somebody else feel like they mattered was important too.”

Maya looked at the pictures. Can kindness vanish?

Her grandmother smiled sadly. “Nope. Kindness is like a little candle. The darkness grows if everyone only protects his own flame.

Maya held onto those words.

She decided to be a small candle, too, the next morning. She smiled at the school's security guard. She thanked the bus driver. She gave her seat to an old woman. She showed a new student to her room. She left a note on the cleaner’s desk that read, “Thank you for making this place feel like home.”

Initially, people laughed at her.

“Why are you doing all this?” they said.

“Are you trying to be a saint?

“Kindness will get you nowhere.”

Maya never answered back. She continued.

There upon a strange thing took place.

The boy whose books she had collected was assisting another student. The girl that she had helped was also holding the door open for another person. The bus driver began smiling at the passengers. The old lady started carrying along more of the biscuits in her bag to share with anyone who appeared hungry.

A small kindness led to another and another and another.

It did not take one day to transform the city. People could still be rude and selfish, and there were days when kindness seemed foolish. But there was something off. The people began to recall.

Months after, Maya entered the bakery. The baker offered her a loaf of bread.

'Thanks,' said Maya.

The baker smiled and said welcome

For a moment Maya stopped. The city rolled on out there. Cars honked. People rushed. Phones rang. Deadlines loomed. Life was not so ideal. But something beautiful was taking place.

One of the men picked up the oranges that a woman dropped. One of the teens gave his umbrella to someone. One small girl shared her chocolate with a crying child.

No one clapped. Nobody wrote it up. Nobody posted it on the Internet.

They just did it.

Since kindness had returned. Not as a revolution, not as a law, not as a command. It had returned so softly, one to another.

Perhaps that is how the world has always worked, not by the loudest voice, not by the mighty individual, but by one who recognises the trouble of another human being and chooses to put a stop.

Maya has never been the last good person. She was the first one to have the courage to start over.

It takes just one person to begin sometimes, all of humanity.

Context

The Context of the Essay: The Last Human Kind

This essay is an imaginative narrative of the decline and resurgence of kindness in contemporary culture. It does not specifically explain why kindness is valuable; it is merely delivered through the fictional character Maya, who finds out that the things that appear easy to the common person courtesy and compassion appear to no longer exist in her city.

Life in the modern era is extremely fast, and people might be busy, self-centred, and distracted, and even forget to take care of other people. This is not what Maya appreciates as being normal. She “thanks,” picks up the books belonging to a person, gives up her seat to an old person, and appreciates a cleaner. Bit by bit, she teaches others to be kind.

The word “candle” in the essay is a symbol of kindness. A candle may light up another without diminishing its light, and an act of kindness may encourage another person to be kind. The implication of the story, then, is that social change is not necessarily the result of mighty leaders or mass actions; it can begin with just one small, good decision of an ordinary person.

Key themes

Kindness and empathy

The power of small things

Modern society and growing self-centredness

Connectivity in a bustling tech-world

Hope and positive societal change

Essay Message

The takeaway message is:

Perhaps it is a simple gesture, but one act of kindness can lead to hundreds and eventually transform a whole community.

“The last kind human” is a title that is meant to be ironic. Maya appears to be the only kind person, whereas it turns out that she is the kind person who makes other people kind. Nor was she the last kind human. And she was simply the first one to begin the act of kindness.

About the Competition

The Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar celebrates the literary talents of writers globally, providing a platform for voices that inspire and provoke thought. It is a cherished event that brings together diverse narratives, fostering a community of creativity and expression. The competition is a testament to the power of words in shaping perspectives and evoking change.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Blessy Varughese for her insightful essay, "The Last Kind Human," a touching contribution to the Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. Her work reminds us of the enduring impact of kindness and the potential for positive change through small acts of compassion. We are grateful for her participation and the profound reflections she has shared with us.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.