Stories of Kindness from Around the World

The Little Boy and The Oyster Roast


--by cmcsc, posted Dec 13, 2016
Recently, my family and I attended a neighborhood oyster roast. While standing at the large tables chatting and eating oysters, I noticed a school aged boy across the table from us who was being handed oysters by a man and having a great deal of difficulty and displeasure trying to swallow them down.

Initially I thought the man wanted the boy to try the oysters and it would stop. But as we stood there, it continued unabated, with each oyster the suffering of this boy becoming more and more obvious as he fought back tears and struggled to swallow them. I later learned that the man felt the boy had been disrespectful and this was his punishment.

I couldn't watch. I hesitated whether to get involved or walk away. Then I had an idea. I grabbed my daughter and our frisbee and worked our way next to the man and the boy. We introduced ourselves as not knowing many people there, and invited the boy to come play frisbee with us.

The man allowed it and immediately the boy's disposition changed. He became friendly and talkative. We pulled another child into our group and played frisbee for a good 30 minutes together. I was so relieved to end the suffering I was witnessing in that moment, and it reinforced for me that trying to help in that or any situation where you see suffering is the best thing to do.
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Readers Comments

Rajni wrote: The quick decision you made was nice too. Helping others, always brings joy. Thanks for this inspiring share.
Sailoon wrote: A very creative and kind intervention!
RoseMarie wrote: This was a great way to deal with the situation. Poor boy x 💓
gardengal10 wrote: That was super inspiration. It certainly avoided what could have been an ugly confrontation.
patjos wrote: thank you
DANCE wrote: great way to help
splain wrote: I so admire what you did.
mindyjourney wrote: Thank you for you loving compassion and innovative way to help child!!! Yes, to do nothing is like agreeing...
Mish wrote: Poor child!!! Thank you for coming to his rescue. Bless ❤️
Lilijourney wrote: I am applauding you in my own home 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗✨✨✨💞💞💞💞

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