Reality Check: A Small Gesture

One day, the author was walking home from school and saw a boy being bullied. He was knocked over into the dirt and was made fun of. Then the author he felt bad for him so he ran over to him and handed his glasses and books to him that had been knocked of his hands. He found out that they lived near to each other and so he walked home with him. He turned out to like him and so did his friends. Four years later he was asked to make a speech on the final day of high school and so as he started his speech he said "Today is a time to thank those who have helped us through the tough years, parents, teachers, siblings, friends. I am hear to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them . I am going to tell you a story..." The author was shocked as he heard the story. It turns out that he planned to kill himself that weekend as he had cleaned out his locker so that his mother would not have to go back to the school to clean it out for him. This story shows that one random act of kindness can change a life.

The author thought he was a bore, however as time went on and the author learned more about him, they became very good friends and the bullied boy gained social status and friends

David wanted to commit suicide due to his lack of confidence and because he was not excepted socially by anyone at his school

What does that author mean when he says that one small gesture can change someone's life for better or worse?

The author's random act of kindness gave him hope and made him feel better about himself

Catholic teaching proclaims that a basic moral test

is how our most vulnerable members are faring. In a

society marred by deepening divisions between rich and

poor, our tradition recalls the story of the Last Judgment

(Mt. 25) and instructs us to put the needs of the poor

and vulnerable first.

This story relates to the idea of helping the poor and vulnerable because it is our obligation as Catholics to provide assistance to those who have a low self-esteem or need someone to turn to in their time of need.

"The world has been shattered into pieces and

its our jobs at humans to put them back together."

"In order to change the world we need to change ourselves first."

A single gesture can change an

individual's perspective about life

"Kindness is like flower. If you plant a seed and nurture it it will undoubtedly grow."

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What was the author's first opinion of David and how did it change?

What had made David want to commit suicide?

A Small Gesture

Catholic Teaching

What stopped him from doing the unspeakable?

The author is trying to say that you are given two choices: you can either go out of your way to help an individual who is vulnerable or you can decided to turn a blind eye and shun the individual.

Relation to Catholic Social Teaching