10-year-old boy uses his savings to buy gas station attendant a bicycle: 'Most proud of you'

A 10-year-old boy and a gas station attendant in South Africa struck up an unlikely but close friendship that won the hearts of many worldwide. In 2019, the young boy named Vaughn met attendant Tony while his mother, Mandy, was filling up gas at a station in KwaZulu-Natal. The family met the "wonderful man" at Caltex by the fire station. Mandy revealed in a Facebook post that her son was very sick, but "within moments, the attendant had him laughing and smiling." The pair hit it off instantly and had been friends ever since that chance encounter. "Since then, we regularly visit the station and Vaughn eagerly looks out for his new friend," she wrote. "Tony always takes the time to talk to Vaughn about the various bikes we haul to Giba and back and listens so obligingly to him as he chatters away."

In one of their friendly chats, Tony asked if they could help him look for a reasonably priced bike and Vaughn promised to find him one. Mandy was surprised when she learned that her son decided to help selflessly. "Vaughn has been collecting all the silver money around the house for months, saving for a 'holiday' for us. One night, he came to me and asked if I really wanted a holiday and upon asking why, he said he would rather put his savings towards helping Tony get his bike," the proud mom shared.

The duo cracked open his piggy bank and used all the money to buy Tony a bicycle. Tony was stunned by the gesture and Mandy couldn't be more proud of her boy. "Our children make us proud on so many occasions, but today, my heart and his is so full of the joy at the kind man's face as he, rather stunned, accepted his gift from this 10-year-old boy," she wrote. Addressed her young son in the post, Mandy added: "It will be years until your mom allows you on Facebook, but when you do see this post, know that today of all your days on this planet so far, my heart is the fullest and most proud of you it's ever been. Keep being kind and generous with your time and money and remember bringing joy to others can bring just as much joy to yourself."

Netizens were touched by the young boy's act of kindness, reminding us all to be the best versions of ourselves. Try and do good to others because giving is much more joyful sometimes than receiving. Making someone's day brings joy quite unlike any other. @dean.galway.5 commented, "What a story, what you provide will come back 10 fold. I've lived by this all my life and if it doesn't, so what, simply said you will leave a legacy of humanity." @Jilbean wrote, "We make a living by what we get but we make a life by what we give... well done for instilling such fine qualities in your young man." @michelle.steenhuisen added, "Vaughan you are a real hero. I have met Tony before he is so deserving of that bike he is an awesome dude so friendly and helpful."