Having Hridya in his life changed him in wonderful ways. He began to see the little kids at school as if they were his own siblings. He was always ready to help them out. His school had a pre-primary section for the youngest kids and a primary section for the older ones, separated by a vast playground. Each group had its own play areas, but sometimes the bigger kids—especially the boys—would sneak into the tiny tots' spot. Murali used to join in occasionally, but now he understood how scary that could be for the small ones. They might trip or get bumped. So, he stopped and even told his buddies to do the same.

The start of the school year was always exciting for the older kids. They loved watching the new pre-primary students. Some little ones cried a lot, others tried to fight back tears, and a few even bolted away. But there were always some who smiled brightly. The big kids would whisper, "What's that kid so happy about?" Now, Murali couldn't stand seeing the tears or hearing any mean comments. His heart ached for the little ones. If it were Hridya, he knew he'd feel heartbroken. At the bus stop, he let the small kids board first and helped them climb on safely.

In those early months, the new pre-primary kids often wandered into the wrong classes. Teachers and helpers kept an eye on them during arrivals, breaks, and playtime. Still, sometimes the tots ended up in the primary section by mistake. Before heading to his own class, Murali would scan the area to spot any lost little ones and gently guide them back to where they belonged. Yes, he was turning into a super responsible senior with the caring heart of a big brother.

There was another spark that made Murali so thoughtful. He never forgot Grandma's tale about Chirag. Chirag grew up with farmer parents in a small town in Karnataka, India. They worked as gardeners for the local park and became exceptionally skilled at it, earning numerous compliments. When Chirag was three, his parents pursued better jobs in larger cities across different states. Chirag tagged along, switching schools five times before high school. At first, it was tough, but he quickly learned to fit in.

Chirag was especially friendly to the younger kids. In ninth grade at a new school, he spotted a seventh grader named George, who had physical challenges but was super bright. Chirag helped him whenever he could, and they became close friends.

One day, George asked Chirag, "You're so kind to everyone. How do you stay that way?"

Chirag grinned and said, "This is my fifth school, George. Teachers, students, and folks helped me through all the moves, besides my parents. Without them, I would never have made it this far. I figure the best way to say thanks is by being kind and helpful to others around me."

Those words stuck with George forever. He grew up to be a renowned surgeon, always available to help those in need, day or night. It made him known worldwide. George never forgot Chirag's support and told everyone it was Chirag's wisdom that shaped him. He always quoted Chirag: "The only way to keep saying thanks to those who helped me is by staying kind and helpful to folks around me."

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Life-Skills Introduced in This Chapter

Empathy and Compassion:Recognizing how younger children might feel scared or lost and responding with kindness, like helping them at school or on the bus.

Responsibility as a Role Model: Taking on duties as an older sibling or senior student, such as guiding lost kids and discouraging unsafe play to protect others.

Paying It Forward: Learning from stories of kindness (like Chirag's) to show gratitude by helping others, creating a cycle of support and goodwill.

Observation and Awareness:Scanning surroundings to notice when someone needs support, such as spotting wandering toddlers, and acting thoughtfully in response.

Self-Reflection and Growth: Changing personal habits (e.g., stopping sneaky play) based on understanding others' perspectives, inspired by family stories and experiences.