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Inspirational Stories

Reader’s Digest has the stories to lift your spirits and fill you with hope in your darkest moments. We’ve promised to be a source of joy, and these stories deliver. From everyday heros to reunited long-lost siblings, we’ve got the stories to inspire you.

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This Powerful Story Will Convince You to Stop Saying “Let Me Know If You Need Anything”

What does someone who has suffered a sudden trauma and grief most need?


Behold, the Old Barn that Was Transformed into a Basketball Court

When they saw how their friends made an old barn the perfect space for a pickup game, this family decided...


18 Things I Learned From My Sister

Family is great, but there's something especially special about having a sister. Whether it's learning about love, sharing, giving, or...


Meet 7 Extraordinary Kid Heroes Who Will Give You Hope

These incredible kids and teens came to the rescue when it mattered most.


How a City Bus-Turned-Shower Station is Helping the Homeless Regain Their Dignity

Doniece Sandoval convinced the city of San Francisco to donate four old buses and she raised money to turn them...


3 Touching True Stories That Illustrate the Power of Acceptance

These tales from the Moth, America's premier storytelling group, touch on the empowerment and humor that comes with accepting others—and...


14 Dad Stories That Display the Kindest, Bravest, Wisest Fathers in the World

In 100 words or less, readers share their poignant dad stories and show the unbreakable bond between father and child


So I Let My Daughter Play With a Stranger at the Beach. And Then Learned This.

My misguided fear about my child interacting with strangers led to a heartwarming discovery.

How a Boy and His Telephone Operator Formed a Lovely, Lasting Friendship

In this Reader's Digest Classic, originally published in 1966 as "The Voice in the Box," a little boy forges a...


6 Stories of Divine Signs

When our loved ones leave this world, does our connection with them end?


5 Amazing Stories of Things Lost, Then Found

Thanks to the kindness of strangers, these precious lost objects were returned to their rightful (and thankful) owners.


Jesse Owens: My Greatest Olympic Prize

In this RD Classic from our archives, American athlete Jesse Owens tells his stunning Olympic story about putting differences aside...