Flying today isn’t what it used to be. Airlines nickel and dime us for checked luggage, on-board food, more leg room, ticket changes and on and on. But it’s good to remember that real people work for these airlines, airports and the Transportation Security Administration. And given a chance, real people will do some real nice things. Check out this story from Tampa.

Tony D’Aiuto went out of his way to make a bad situation for a little boy and his family a little better. Judging by the reactions of Owen and his mother, his efforts were a real success.

• Who do you think got a bigger kick out of Hobbes’ adventures, Tony D’Aiuto or Owen?
• Have you ever done something for a stranger that was above and beyond what may have been expected? How did that make you feel?
• If you do something kind for someone else, like returning a lost item to them, do you usually expect a reward of some kind? When do you think rewards should or should not be given? What kind of reward do you think is appropriate for doing a good deed?
• If you found money on the street, but didn’t know who it belonged to, would you try to find the rightful owner? If it was $5 would you do it? How about $20? $100? $1000?
• How might you encourage others to perform their own acts of kindness to brighten someone else’s day?