Elevator breaks down on floor 26 — delivery rider climbs the stairs anyway, in a story that warms hearts

A heartwarming story of mutual consideration between a chicken delivery rider and a customer — set against a broken elevator — has been making the rounds online.

A social media user, identified only as A, recently posted on Threads that a delivery rider called to say the elevator in her building was out of order while bringing her chicken order to the 26th floor. She had expected him to leave the food on the ground floor, but he offered to climb the stairs instead.

She quickly headed down to meet him halfway. "We met on the 14th floor," she wrote, adding that she could tell how worn out he must have been in the heat.

Grateful for his effort, A said she sent him a coffee voucher along with a message.

A screenshot she shared showed the message she sent the rider: "Thank you so much for climbing up despite the broken elevator. Here's a coupon I had. Please take care of your health in this hot weather."

The rider wrote back: "From the very first call, you spoke so kindly to me that I wanted to make the climb for you. I'll enjoy the coffee. Have a good night."

Online commenters responded warmly to the story, with reactions including "my faith in humanity is restored," "wishing both of them all the best," "the rider climbed a 'stairway to heaven' in this heat — truly remarkable," and "meeting in the middle is such a beautiful story."