A local school pupils were required to bring a gift which most reflected “home.” Excitement filled the classroom as kids were proudly placing toys, photo frames, and memorabilia at their desks. When it was time for her turn, a quiet child put down a delicate burned-out candle.
Incredulous, the teacher inquired as to why she chose the object. In a quiet voice the young girl whispered words which shook the classroom:
“Because at home, that’s all we have when the electricity is cut.”
A simple explanation of the situation exposed a truth that many of her fellows had not known. Her candle did not only serve as a symbol; it was a daily reminder struggles, poverty, and the strength of making use of the resources they had.
Students and teachers alike felt moved and some even to the point of tears. The news soon spread outside the school, touching hundreds of people online to remind of the unresolved battles kids are often faced with.
Educational experts believe that such instances illustrate the significance of empathy at schools. “Behind every child is a story we may never know,” one psychologist for children said. “Sometimes the smallest item can hold the heaviest meaning.”
The candle of the girl has became a symbol of consciousness that encourages communities to examine the struggles families go through and remember that in the dark children discover ways to provide the light.
