I was surprised when I discovered why one of my pupils was stealthily stealing food from the cafeteria.
I have a strong passion for my work as a high school teacher. I like to get out with my students. I make sure they feel heard and supported each and every day.
I once saw one of my pupils, Mia, stealthily consuming food in the cafeteria during recess. I didn’t give it much thought at first, but I soon realized it was occurring daily.
Since I know she loves animals, my initial assumption was that she would be planning to feed the stray cats close to the school. But if her intention was truly to feed the animals, I found it odd that she was taking the food without speaking to the cafeteria employees.
I chose to follow Mia out of curiosity to find out what was happening. She took a bite, like she often did, and slipped out of the school. To avoid her noticing me, I kept a safe distance behind her.
My curiosity was piqued when Mia began to leave the school. Where was she taking this food if it wasn’t for the cats? Then she kept going slowly till she came to a stop in front of a house.
She put the food in a mailbox there. I made the decision to step in at that point. I walked up to her and politely inquired as to her whereabouts.
I was unable to speak after she told me everything.
The man Mia was feeding was a former firefighter who had rescued her mother from a fire, Mia told me.
The man lived alone after retiring, and nobody appeared to remember him.
“I wanted to bring him some comfort,” Mia explained.
Her mother had told her that this man was a local hero, but he never sought fame and lived a modest life.
To keep him from feeling abandoned, Mia gave him food every day.
This was another way she wanted to thank him.
She made a straightforward yet intensely emotional gesture.
