COLUMBIA, SC — Students at the Columbia Jewish Day School have been pouring through the pages of a new book circulating (传阅) at school. The youngsters are the main characters in the book that shares stories about greeting newcomers, helping others in wheelchairs, reaching out to the lonely and performing various other acts of kindness. And this story’s ending has yet to be penned.

The school has been planning “Columbia’s Book of Kindness” for the past year. The 1,000-page, hardcover book was designed by Columbia Jewish Day School educator Jane Muller. Since last February, students and community (社区) members have been encouraged to write down acts of kindness in the book they have shown to others or have received.

“When you turn the pages, you’ll see some wonderful things going on,” said Muller, who founded the school 21 years ago with her husband Rabbi Meir Muller.

Muller, a poet and book artist, said the book offered her the chance to use her art to bring something meaningful to the community. She said she hopes to help young people in particular understand the importance of making a difference where they are, rather than just looking to other acts of kindness.

Those lessons appeared to be catching on at school in recent days, as a group of students shared some of their stories with each other. Eight-year-old Will Obradovich shared how he had helped his neighbors with their pet, while ten-year-old Samantha Beckmer designed a page showing how she believes a community should care for its people, the animals and the environment. “When we spread the kindness book around, it will encourage more people to be kind,” Samantha said. Ten-year-old Jack Lamey said the stories shared in the book have inspired  (激励) him to look for new ways to be kind to others.

“Columbia’s Book of Kindness” will be circulated to various places in the community in the coming months of 2014. At each stop, people will be invited to share their stories about kindness through poetry, drawings and photographs. The goal is to fill the 1,000 pages before the book is officially presented to the city.

“Let your story inspire others,” Jane Muller said. “Let others inspire you. It’s Columbia’s book.”