It's Called Compassion, that's all!

Easy to be Hard

A quote in which I wrote not so long ago: "Compassion need not cost anything more the price one pays to learn how to give unconditionally."

One day I was in the schoolyard on the swing, I got off the swing for a moment I thought. Soon as I got off this really big kid- heavyset and not one I recognized, jumped on 'my swing. I was pissed off and told him, “Get off my swing!” He said, “You got off so I thought it was my turn.”

I said, “Wrong!” and proceeded to pull him off the swing. But he wouldn't have it! He pushed me and I went flying. On the ground I said to myself, Man this kid's got some strength. I brushed myself off and went up to him apologizing. 'I'm sorry, I was wrong. And by the way, what's your name and are you new here?' He responded, 'Yes, we just moved here... we were living around Kostner and Chicago Avenue. My name is Frank!' 'Nice to meet you, I'm Ricky!'

After a while, we became good friends. Other kids at the school started to harass Frank, call him ugly names—names like Sewer Rat, The Blob, and so on. If that wasn't enough, they'd gang up on him, knocking him to the ground and wailing on him. This hurt me, hurt me so much. I asked myself, why? Just because he is overweight and walks crooked with a clubbed foot—that's not right. He is still a human, with a heart and emotions.

Frank was not good at studying or completing his homework. But I was; that's why my teachers loved me—things came easy for me, and I excelled in school. But not Frank. His parents weren't too happy with his performance. One day, Frank, who always had money (which of course I didn't), made me an offer. 'Rick, you're good at school and I'm not. I have a hard time turning in my homework. What if you do my homework for me? From now on, when we go to that candy store on the way home, I’ll buy soda pops, chips, whatever you like.'

My growling stomach took the offer. For the next few weeks, Frank turned his 'homework' in. Everybody was happy—his parents, the teachers, and of course I was elated, getting all those treats: chips, candy bars, sodas, etc. Until one day, I thought to myself: You know, I enjoy all the chips and stuff, but wait a minute—Frankie is my friend. And by me doing his homework, what is he learning? Nothing! I made my decision. The next day I said, 'Frank, I appreciate you buying me all that stuff the last few weeks, but I won’t be doing your homework anymore!' 'Why?' he asked.

'Because you're my friend, and you're not learning anything.'

He came to terms and began doing his own homework. And his grades got better! His parents very happy and me?” Well, I was ecstatic and did a bunch of cartwheels every afternoon after Frank bought me soda pops and chips and stuff! He said, “Ricky, you are my friend! And don’t worry. We will still go that candy store after school and I will still pay for everything!