Sharing

I recently had an interesting experience at school. It was during recess and several of us were all sitting around eating the snacks that we had brought from home. I think I was eating a cookie or something. I decided that I was done and didn't want anymore so I asked the kids if anyone wanted it. They all instantly shot up their hands and began shouting "dame, dame!!" (Gimme, gimme) Normal child reaction. I decided to give it to one girl, Alba Nelly, who was asking a little more politely. She took the cookie with a huge grin on her face, because she had obviously won the prize. It was what she did next that surprised me. Instead of quickly devouring the cookie she broke it in half and gave the other half to another child. She then took the half that remained and broke it again in half to share with someone else. She continued breaking the cookie in half and sharing until everyone at the table had had a piece. Satisfied, she sat down and ate the small crumb that remained in her hand. Oddly enough, she was not sad that she ended up with the smallest piece, she still felt like she had won because I had chosen her to distribute the wealth. She got to share what she had with her friends, a real honor in this culture.

It was so beautiful to me to see this wonderful virtue of community and sharing so apparent, even in a 6 year old.