Not sure if your insightful story represents the difference between empathy and compassion, but this depends on interpretation. For me personally empathy is something one can only have for the people one knows, whereas compassion is at a higher level and also includes people or other living beings one does not know. Although empathy not necessarily includes action, it for me also does not exclude it. Compassion is indeed more active because it can only been shown in an active manner. For me your story reminds me to a teaching from Ayya Khema about the difference between Pity and Compassion. Pity will make two people suffer, whereas Compassion will transfer a surplus to someone who needs it more…. https://www.lionsroar.com/the-four-highest-emotions/