At Christmas, the little things can mean the most

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These are the little things
It’s the little things that renew my faith in human nature. At Woolworths this week, the young cashier noticed a ladybug on the conveyor belt. He was trying so hard to save her, and at that moment everything else going on in the world faded away as we were both completely focused on saving this little creature. He tried to coax the ladybug onto a piece of paper and then took her to a place where she could be safe.
The fact that he said “these things matter” when I thanked him proved that small acts of kindness show the kind of person you are. It made for a nice Christmas story when there was so much darkness around.
Judy Hungerford, Kew

age of appreciation
People of all ages act strangely at Christmas for a variety of reasons. It is a great blessing to be with the oldest members of the family and their friends at Christmas. It is not a time to find fault, to doubt, or to judge, it is a time to appreciate.
Ruth Farr, South Blackburn

How is pain measured?
I find it unfair that Sussan Ley condemned Penny Wong for not crying in response to the Bondi massacre. Not everyone cries when tragic things happen, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have the same feelings as someone who sheds tears.
Also, not all tears are sincere but may be there for show. Lindy Chamberlain was crucified for not bursting into tears when she lost her baby. I think it’s very easy to measure someone’s sadness by the tears they shed.
Frances McKay, Kensington

Commission pressure
Anthony Albanese clearly hopes the arrival of Christmas will mean calls for a royal commission into the Bondi terror attack will evaporate. Luckily people like the Dawsons are keeping the pressure on him and calling out the absurdity of his position (“Lindt Cafe victim’s family calls for royal commission”, 24/12). Let’s hope that once the Christmas break is over, the pressure remains on for him to undertake the much-needed royal commission.
Andrew Laird, McKellar, ACT

No partisan politics
Those who complained Anthony Albanese was too slow to act on the Jillian Segal report now want him to wait three years for the royal commission report before taking decisive action on the Bondi massacre. Such contradictions are only possible when people turn to politics rather than dealing with the serious issues that contributed to Bondi. Now is not the time for partisan politics.
Frank JonesMelbourne

Look sharp
How sad that even the British are now abusing the English language (″⁣Basic laxity″⁣, 24/12.)
I’m used to seeing former cricketers pose as commentators and regularly say that the bowler is “sharpening” the stumps, whereas we know that “honing” means honing; whereas “being at home” has a completely different meaning. But responsible journalists!
The worst part is that many people, some outside the cricket world, have also started abusing ″⁣hone″⁣ and it has become almost commonplace.
How can we put an end to this shocking practice?
Peter McGregorHampton

Relative calibers
What a degrading statement from One Nation powerbroker James Ashby, who takes issue with the ″⁣caliber of people coming into the country″⁣ (″⁣The Rise of One Nation″⁣, 12/24). As we recently celebrated a weekend in Melbourne for our 50th wedding anniversary, we criss-crossed the city on numerous tram rides. Although we could stand comfortably on crowded trams, on each journey a citizen of the Australian expat community offered us a seat. I have no problem with the quality of immigrants coming to the country. My biggest problem is with the caliber of people who want to run the country.
Ian Whitehead, Traralgon

fund education
For many years, the state’s public schools have been underfunded, and not just “in the years to 2023” (“More than 200 Victorian public schools urgently need repairs”, 21/12). This compares with the expensive arts districts and sports complexes of private schools, many of which have federal government funding. This inconsistency leads to disparate outcomes in education, career and life opportunities, leading to social inequality and disharmony.
Unless such factors are eliminated, social integrity will deteriorate. Young people become alienated and radicalized more easily. This factor was not taken into account in the analysis of tragedies such as the Bondi massacre, in which Naveed Akram, the younger of the two gunmen, was an isolated, unemployed and radicalized teenager.
Jan Marshall, Brighton