Helping A Child In Need

--by heather619008, posted Jul 3, 2007

About a week ago, my 4 year old cousin and I were playing basketball at our local park. The weather was warm, and many other children were outside as well. As we played, I noticed a small group of boys picking on a smaller, skinnier--and possibly younger--boy. They were calling him names and even pushed him to the ground and kicked dirt in his face. When I saw that, I grabbed my cousin by the hand and walked over to the group.

I stepped between them and the smaller boy, and asked them politely what this boy had done to deserve what they were doing to him. One of the boys replied, "He's weird." At that, I asked them if they thought I was weird (I have black and pink hair and quite a few piercings, but I'm also an intimidating 5'11"), and their response was a semi-frightened "No." I then asked one of the boys if he thought his friend was weird, and again, the answer was "No." So, I asked one of the boys to define the word 'weird', and he simply said, "I don't know..'different'." That was my cue. I told them that everyone is different, and that they all looked just as different to the other boy as he did to them. They all stood silently for a moment, and then the most amazing thing happened: One of the boys who hadn't said anything since I walked over stepped around me and helped the small boy off the ground and then apologized. He offered to let him play with them, but the boy quietly said 'thank you' and refused, saying he had to get home.

I thanked the boy for being so mature, and he just mumbled "you're welcome" and ran off to join his friends in the basketball court. As I looked around, I realized that there were dozens of other people at the park--some of them were parents with children of their own--but no one else had stopped to help this boy. I felt happy that the one boy was strong enough to stand up against his friends to help someone in need, but I felt sad that no one else had even taken a second glance. I couldn't help but think that those other parents at the park would want someone to help their child in that situation, and yet they did nothing but stand by.

I hope that my gesture helped them realize that they could have made a difference with minimal effort, and maybe next time they will be the ones who choose to help.

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Posted by heather619008
Jul 3, 2007
Comments (32)

Readers Comments

brighteyes wrote: AAAAWWWW.....good for you Heather!
THANK YOU FOR MAKING A DIFFERENCE AND CHALLENGING THE BOYS BEHAVIOR. We are all unique and diversity should be appreciated and not ostracized.
YOU WERE THE CHANGE- COOL, VERY COOL!
Smiling Brighteyes ;)

lovebug wrote: I think I might be blessed. I have been allowed to see people just like you Heather, we are legion. I think we have been taught in ignorance. It has nothing to do with devils and demons. It has everything to do with the multitude of kind hearts, who step out of the mainstream, it takes alot of courage to do what you did. It might seem small to you, but you did make a difference. God Bless you for your courage.

tenderheart wrote: awww. sweet. God Bless you and your a great example of leadership. Teach to others. continue rocking.

MakeSomeoneSmile wrote: Thank you for making a difference. Small interactions like that will make our world a better place!

AURELIA wrote: Heather, You are a quick thinker with warm heart. Your compassion for a stranger will hopefully help others to stand up for what is right and keep our parks safe for the children. we are all different, but that's a good thing. ~Aurelia

Theema wrote: Great going. You are a shining example to us all! Although different...we are all special in God's eyes. Keep up the good work.

irongrace wrote: It only takes one person to stop bullying. I want to give you a huge thankyou for stepping between the boys and breaking up what might have been very bad

Ynco wrote: Heather, I pay my respect to you ! That's the kind of messages our world (incl. our 'kids') needs today. And about the others, do not worry to much, look at what you have and not to what you don't have. I am convinced that your act of kindness and your energy did not miss anyone in that park.

Da Rock wrote: Heather
The best thing we can do for our childern is be a good example.
You are that.

Long Life

aogrn wrote: in all you do be proud of you!!!!

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