More proof that being kind to ducks is AWESOME.

The only thing cooler than the freezing water this guy jumped into, is the incredible act of kindness that came straight after.

Animals Australia

Animals Australia team

Last updated December 15, 2014

We will never get tired of seeing people being kind to ducks (or being kind full stop, actually). And one kind act inspires another. So when incredible pictures emerged of a kind man coming to the aid of a duck caught under ice, we knew it was a story that needed to be told.

Lars Jørun Langøien was amongst a sports academy group who had arrived for their weekly bathing session in the freezing waters of Sognsvann Lake, Norway. They noticed a small duck nearby, who had been crossing the ice before diving into an unfrozen area of the lake. The group watched on as the time passed, and the duck didn’t re-surface — he had become trapped under ice. The poor bird struggled to find his way out before appearing to just give up … and this was when Lars sprung into action. Take a look at these incredible pictures to see what happened next:

This image contains content which some may find confronting

Photo by Yngvil Søholt via VG News

This image contains content which some may find confronting

Photo by Yngvil Søholt via VG News

This image contains content which some may find confronting

Photo by Yngvil Søholt via VG News

This image contains content which some may find confronting

Photo by Yngvil Søholt via VG News

This image contains content which some may find confronting

Photo by Yngvil Søholt via VG News

This image contains content which some may find confronting

Photo by Yngvil Søholt via VG News

Lars reportedly did what he did because, “It felt like the right thing to do” (spoken like a true hero!)

His heroic act is one of many to have taken the world by storm. And this video compilation of kind people rescuing ducks was viewed over 100 million times! Is it any wonder? Kindness to animals happens every single day — but when we are lucky enough that it is caught on camera, that one kind act can have a ripple effect … potentially inspiring millions.

Here’s an idea: if, for every kind act we see, we in turn performed another kind act … could you imagine the impact that would have?