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    Real Life Stories

    You’ve got to read it to believe it! These true stories seem almost too good to be true, but we promise that we couldn’t make these up. From love to loss and from survival to unbelieavable coincidences—we’ve got the wildest stories to keep you informed, entertained, and inspired.

    dog with his rescuers

    A Dog Was Trapped in a Cave for 30 Hours. It Took 8 Cavers to Find Him.

    Buzzman the dog hadn't returned home for a few hours. Thinking it was unusual, his owner tracked his collar and saw that he was in a cave.

    Siegfried and Roy: What Happened the Night of the Tiger Attack?

    For Siegfried & Roy, the master illusionists whose mix of glitz, charm, and white tiger...

    This Couple Agreed to Split the Lottery If They Won. When They Did, She Left with All the Money

    He said they’d agreed to split the winnings. But when they hit the jackpot, she...
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    Nicest Places in America 2021

    Nicest Places in America is a nationwide search for places where people are kind and...

    A Wild Lynx Appeared on My Friends’ Property—And Lived There for Weeks

    Every now and then, you come across a wild animal that appears to seek human...
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    Your True Stories, in 100 Words

    Everybody has a story to share. What's yours? Tell us here for the chance to...

    My Kids Made Fun of Me for Always Carrying a Handkerchief—Then the Pandemic Hit and Everyone Was Using Them

    He has used a pocket handkerchief all his life—and was ridiculed for it. Now, this...

    I Was on the Fence About Hiring a Cleaning Person, So I Got a Roomba Instead

    Long before Marie Kondo, there was Roomba. 
In this classic from 2003, Mary Roach 
gives...

    How Astronaut Scott Kelly Wards Off Feelings of Isolation

    The pandemic is taking a serious toll on our mental health. Here are a few...

    How I Found Out Racism Isn’t Just a Problem in America

    When you’re Black, traveling overseas can reveal a lot more about a place than just...

    My Dad Sent Me a Fruitcake Every Year for Christmas. The Last One Didn’t Arrive Until a Year After He Passed

    My father resembled a fruitcake. One year, he even sent one. It never arrived.

    My Uncle Was a Man of Few Words, But Our Quiet Christmas Eve Drives Are Some of My Favorite Memories

    Uncle Ed was a tough guy of few words. But when 
he took me on...

    15 People Share the Silver Linings They Found Amid a Pandemic

    This year, many of us have new appreciation for life’s simpler joys. RD readers share...

    7 True Stories About Funny Thanksgiving Mishaps

    These true stories of snafus past will make you laugh—and breathe a little easier about...

    Heartwarming Photos of Veterans Reuniting with Their Service Dogs

    Grab a tissue! You can't help but get all the feels when you read these...

    BBC Finds Hope for Unity in Reader’s Digest Nicest Place in America

    BBC U.S. correspondent James Coomarasamy visited the 2020 pick for the Nicest Place in America...

    Incredible Generosity Makes Red Handed Tattoo in Shreveport the Nicest Place in Louisiana

    Learn how the owner of one small-town tattoo shop made a big difference.
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    10 Valuable Items People Have Found by Accident

    Ever stumble upon something valuable? It’s an incredible feeling.

    Caring for Neighbors Makes Yardley the Nicest Place in Pennsylvania

    Coronavirus couldn't stop this congregation's spirit of giving.

    Walking the Walk Makes Rio Vista the Nicest Place in California

    Find out why this small town was voted the nicest place in California.

    Kid Power Makes Gaithersburg the Nicest Place in Maryland

    In a time when we need kindness more than ever, young people are stepping up...

    A Group of Teens on Their Surf Boards Saved Two Swimmers from Drowning

    Two swimmers struggle for their lives until 
a group of teens arrive on their boards.
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    He Was on His Way to Cycling in the Olympics—Instead of Chasing Gold, He Used His Bike to Rob Banks

    Tom Justice chased Olympic gold on his bike. 
Then he used it as a getaway...