http://www.flickr.com/photos/79406424@N00/4133364759
I know that when you think of Thanksgiving you think of a turkey with stuffing and maybe visiting family. When I think of Thanksgiving, yes that’s what I first think of. But in many minds it has a lot more meaning. My mom used to work as a teacher for kids in the slums in India. She has told so many stories and I can’t even remember them all, but I do remember one. At the school many of the kid’s fathers did not have a fixed job. If the father found a job that day they would have dinner and lunch for the next day.If he did not they would get maybe a leftover roti (Indian flatbread) or just a glass of water. These kids did not pity themselves or think they were poor, but were actually really proud of themselves. They though that their fathers are able to work and try their best. Well at this school they served a “snack” which was actually more like lunch but these kids were so proud that they wouldn’t take anything for free. The way my mom got them to take the “snack” was by saying, “This snack is not free, what you have to do is earn it. Showing up to school and showing commitment is what will get you the snack.” One day my mother noticed that one girl was missing she thought that probably she was sick so she didn’t investigate. The rest of the week the girl wasn’t there. My mom decided to ask her parents. It turned out her father hadn’t been getting a job the past few days and she had not been eating well. She thought that since she was not eating well she wouldn’t be able to concentrate in class, then she wouldn’t deserve the “snack”! My mother explained to both the parents and the girl that showing up to school was enough to deserve the “snack”. I really loved this story and am thankful that I live in a place where I don’t have to worry about my next meal.
You were very clear when you were telling the story. The story itself touched my heart and made me think about how I get a snack for school almost every day and most people don’t.
Great Job! I can tell that you wrote from your heart and you wrote very clearly.
Very touching story. Good Work!
That’s very sad how little food they get. The story brought new awareness to me about how little food some people get.
That’s very sad. It makes me feel very lucky to live in a place where I don’t have to worry about my next meal. Great writing!
This story was very heart touching. My dad is from india and I see really poor kids every year. This was a great story that I can relate to in lots of ways. Keep writing!
Thank you for all the complements! I myself have seen other schools like this and it is really heartbreaking. I love this story it really makes me think about how lucky I am.