A Simple Lesson in Generosity from Fourth-Graders

I recently chaperoned a group of fourth graders for their end-of-the-school-year field trip to historic downtown St. Augustine, Florida. I showed up, delighted to see my daughter, and was handed a list of three boys and two girls I’d be managing.

I’ll be honest- I was a little nervous about overseeing five kids for the next eight hours!

Thankfully, my apprehension about managing five children in downtown St. Augustine faded as the day went on. I got the hang of their names and faces, and despite everyone’s tendencies to want to veer off in different directions, our group developed a sort of camaraderie.

The most intimidating part of the day was the last hour and a half of “free time.” At this time, groups were given free rein to explore St. George Street: a long cobblestone street full of tourists, clothing, soap, jewelry, and at least a dozen ice cream shops.

The parents had given their kids money to spend on souvenirs, and it had been burning holes in their pockets all day long. One thing I did not realize about fourth graders was how much they love shopping! On the other hand, the storeowners did not look thrilled to see the enthusiastic group of children heading into their shops.

The kids proved good customers, however, and purchased items in accordance with their quirky, 4th-grade aesthetics: a waffle cone filled with rainbow “superman” ice cream; a super stretchy rubber banana; two slightly too-large baseball caps with favorite sports teams on them; a pair of earrings; and a stuffed monkey that one boy hung around his neck.

To my great relief, no one got lost or broke anything. As nervous as I had been about managing this group of tweens, I found myself amused and uplifted by their free-spirited nature and ridiculous sense of humor.

What really impressed me about these kids, though, was the generosity I observed when we passed a homeless man on St. George Street. I was so focused on the children that I hardly noticed the dirty man with his bicycle. The growing homeless population is a sad and unpleasant predicament in our touristic downtown- most adults look away.

The kids did not. Before I knew what was happening, a handful of quarters were passed from one of the children to the homeless man. Then another child did the same. And another.

For a split second, I wondered if I should counsel them against approaching and giving money to this man. Was it safe? Did they realize it was quite possible he would spend their quarters on booze or cigarettes? Would their parents approve?

I brushed these cynical thoughts away and took in the beauty of what I had just witnessed: innocent, kind generosity. The children had given so humbly from the little they had and without a second thought. What a gift it was to see this pure kindness in action!

What a lovely example of selfless generosity these children were to me at this moment.

The day’s events ended with pizza and brownies. As I walked my daughter to our car, I was utterly exhausted but also inspired.

You never know where your next teaching is going to come from! This lesson in simple generosity from fourth graders is one that I will hold onto.