Compassion

When I was in second grade, my class had a show and tell day where everyone was to bring a special stuffed animal, toy, or pet to share.  Everyone was thrilled to have the opportunity to share an item; it was the talk of the town (in the second grade classroom anyway).  The day finally came and everyone brought their favorite toy or trinket to school -- everyone except Natalie.  My poor friend Natalie had been running late for school that morning and in the chaos of trying to get to school on time, she forgot her stuffed bunny.  She was devastated.  Luckily for her our teacher, Tina, was an extremely compassionate person and she wanted to make sure that Natalie was able to participate in the show and tell.  The school had already attempted to phone Natalie's parents but they were at work so it was up to Tina to ensure that Natalie felt included in the day's activities.  She told Natalie to take her pick of the classroom toys and share one of them but Natalie said that it wasn't hers so she couldn't share it.  Some of the kids in the class offered her their toys to share but the response was the same.  It seemed a lost cause but Tina had one more idea.
Come lunchtime, the class was excused to the courtyard and the teachers to their lounge.  Tina, however, got in her car and drove to the nearest toy store where she purchased and brand new, pink bunny.  She came back to school and called Natalie into the classroom.
"I found this at lunch and I think it's in need of a home," Tina began.  "Do you think you'd be able to take care of her? I'm sure she'd love to participate in show and tell."
Natalie was ecstatic.  She thanked Tina a hundred times over and was the first to share when the rest of the class came in from lunch.
Some would classify this act as unnecessary, an overkill, but to a seven-year-old girl an overkill can be just the right thing.  There's nothing to say that Natalie wouldn't have survived without a toy.  Most likely she would have been upset for a time but come Monday she would have been herself again. We can never truly know how deeply a negative experience will affect a child so when in doubt, I believe it best to err on the positive side -- even if it is "unnecessary".