Adams younger brother, Henry, was suffering from a nasty cold, so their mother had to take time off work to look after the four-year-old until he was fit enough to return to nursery. Adam, meanwhile, was perfectly capable of walking to school on his own, not needing his mothers help, but she insisted he stay home as well, so he wouldnt spread the cold among his classmates. Besides, she needed someone to stay at home with Henry if she had to run errands. This allowed Adams mother to pop out to the chemist, and sometimes she sent Adam to the local shop with a shopping list, a task which filled him with pride.
On Friday evening, Adam was returning from the supermarket carrying the shopping when a group of local troublemakers stepped out from a side street, blocking his way. They knew Adam wellhe always walked with his mum and never went to the playground by himselfso they picked on him, confident he wouldnt defend himself. They mocked him, calling him a coward and a mummys boy. One of them started tugging at his shopping bag, and the tallest grabbed Adam by his jacket, attempting to shake him.
What do you think youre doing? called out thirteen-year-old Charlotte, who lived with her dad on the third floor of the block.
Charlotte and her father had only recently moved in, but many kids tried to befriend her, as her family was well-off. They dressed in the latest fashions, ordered food from restaurants every week, and Charlottes dad drove the smartest car on the street.
Charlotte pushed the boys away, sheltering Adam behind her. The troublemakers didnt dare stand up to Charlotte, and they were frightened of her father, so they scattered quickly.
Let me walk you home, Charlotte offered to Adam.
They walked together under the streetlights to his house, and Charlotte gave Adam her phone number, telling him to call if any of the neighbourhood kids tried to hurt him. Adam soon phoned her, not because of bullies, but simply because he wanted to chat.
When his little brother recovered and Adam could take him out for walks, he always rang Charlotte. Through these calls, both Adam and Charlotte found the friendship theyd been missing.
From their experiences, Adam learned that sometimes the courage to reach out to others is all it takes to find real friends, reminding him that kindness is far more powerful than fear.
