Today a child came in to clinic for temper tantrums
It then transpired that this child was very sensitive and was currently in a primary school for rich kids "but i am not from a rich family". This kid is in primary 1, it's sad how children learn about wealth and get side-lined so early on in life, but i guess that's the reality of life
Anyway, then, this child had been saving up to make a card and buy a pen for teacher's day. Instead of buying a 40 cent pen, he then decided to get the 80 cent one as it would be nicer for the teacher. He then made his own teacher's day card as well. Then on the day of teacher's day, the other children in school came in with profesionally made cards and nicely wrapped expensive gifts, this kid was very upset cause his gift was too small and not good enough, he did not even dare give it to the teacher cause he was too embarrassed...
The whole situation made me feel so sad. Sad for the kid, his family, society in general. Sad that this child has grown up with this view that inadequacy is caused by a lack of money, sad that this is the very kind of child who is going to be bullied and picked on and impact the rest of his life.. he's only in primary one, things will only get worse :(
I guess that's where we're reminded in the bible, it's not about equal gifts but equal sacrifice
In fact, this gift from the kid who saved up his week's pocket money to buy the teacher's day gift, was probably more precious and meaningful than any teacher's day gift that teacher would have received, but sadly, the teacher will never know :(
It then transpired that this child was very sensitive and was currently in a primary school for rich kids "but i am not from a rich family". This kid is in primary 1, it's sad how children learn about wealth and get side-lined so early on in life, but i guess that's the reality of life
Anyway, then, this child had been saving up to make a card and buy a pen for teacher's day. Instead of buying a 40 cent pen, he then decided to get the 80 cent one as it would be nicer for the teacher. He then made his own teacher's day card as well. Then on the day of teacher's day, the other children in school came in with profesionally made cards and nicely wrapped expensive gifts, this kid was very upset cause his gift was too small and not good enough, he did not even dare give it to the teacher cause he was too embarrassed...
The whole situation made me feel so sad. Sad for the kid, his family, society in general. Sad that this child has grown up with this view that inadequacy is caused by a lack of money, sad that this is the very kind of child who is going to be bullied and picked on and impact the rest of his life.. he's only in primary one, things will only get worse :(
I guess that's where we're reminded in the bible, it's not about equal gifts but equal sacrifice
In fact, this gift from the kid who saved up his week's pocket money to buy the teacher's day gift, was probably more precious and meaningful than any teacher's day gift that teacher would have received, but sadly, the teacher will never know :(
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