A young boy's tears on Pajama Day turned to joy thanks to the quick thinking and kindness of his school bus driver

Farrish Jr. noticed that Levi, a first-grader at Engelhard Elementary School, was unusually upset one morning. Instead of his usual cheerful greeting, Levi was sitting on the ground with a jacket pulled over his head. When Farrish Jr. asked what was wrong, Levi explained through his tears that he didn't have any pajamas for the school's Pajama Day.

Witnessing Levi's disappointment, Farrish Jr. felt compelled to help. "I thought, 'I gotta fix this,'" he said. After completing his morning bus route, Farrish Jr. went to a local Family Dollar store and bought two pairs of pajamas for Levi. He then delivered them to the school. "I said, 'You were hurting this morning, you were crying, so I got you these pajamas,'" Farrish Jr. recalled. Levi's reaction was priceless. "He was so excited — you should’ve seen how his face lit up," Farrish Jr. shared, adding that Levi hugged the pajamas tightly.

Levi, clearly touched by the gesture, said in a news release, "I can tell Mr. Larry is nice and his heart is filled with joy. When he got me the pajamas, I did a happy cry.” Known as "Mr. Larry" to the children on his route, Farrish Jr.'s act of kindness brightened Levi's day and resonated with many online. Jefferson County Public Schools shared the story on their Facebook page, prompting an outpouring of positive comments from the community. Many praised Farrish Jr.'s caring nature and dedication to his students.

Farrish Jr., who has been a bus driver for seven years, expressed his passion for the job, saying, "It’s my passion because I get to build bonds with the children. I truly love every minute of it.” His thoughtful action on Pajama Day serves as a heartwarming reminder of the impact a caring individual can have on a child's life.

(Source: Rachel Paula Abrahamson, TODAY Staff. Updated March 14, 2025, 3:34 PM EDT. Retrieved from TODAY.com)