Once upon a time, in a village nestled in the mountains, there lived a young girl named Maya. Maya was known for her kind heart and generous spirit. She loved to help anyone in need, no matter who they were or what they needed.

One day, as she was walking home from the market, she saw an old man struggling to carry a heavy load of firewood. Without a second thought, she rushed over to help him. The old man was grateful and thanked Maya for her kindness.

Days passed, and Maya continued to help anyone she came across who needed assistance. She helped carry groceries for elderly neighbors, cleaned up the streets, and even volunteered at the local animal shelter. Her acts of kindness did not go unnoticed, and soon people started to call her “Maya the Kind.”

One day, a wise old woman approached Maya and asked her why she did so much for others. Maya replied, “I believe that kindness is contagious, and if I can help just one person, they will be inspired to help others as well. We can make the world a better place if we all help each other.”

The old woman smiled and said, “You are right, my dear. But remember, being kind is not just about helping others; it’s also about being kind to yourself. You cannot help others if you do not take care of yourself first.”

Maya was taken aback by the old woman’s words. She realized that she had been so busy helping others that she had forgotten to take care of herself. She had not slept properly, had not eaten well, and had neglected her own needs.

From that day on, Maya made a promise to herself to take care of herself as much as she took care of others. She started to set aside time for herself, meditated, and exercised regularly. She realized that by taking care of herself, she was able to help others more effectively and efficiently.

The morale of the story is that while helping others is a noble act, we must not forget to take care of ourselves as well. We cannot give to others what we do not have ourselves. By taking care of ourselves, we become stronger and more capable of helping others. So, be kind to yourself as well as to others.