The classroom door creaked open, interrupting the teacher’s lecture. Standing there were Principal Thompson and the woman the boy had helped on the street. Her eyes, still red from tears, now shone with gratitude.
“Excuse me, Mrs. Carter,” the principal said gently. “I need to speak to your class for a moment.”
Mrs. Carter stepped aside, surprised. The boy’s heart raced—was he in trouble again?
Principal Thompson gestured toward him. “As some of you may know, this young man acted with incredible bravery this morning. He saved this child’s life,” he said, pointing to the woman and her son, who clutched a small teddy bear.
Whispers filled the room. The boy’s cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and pride.
The woman’s voice trembled as she spoke. “I had just stepped away for a moment, but he saved my son from what could have been a tragedy. I cannot thank you enough.”
Mrs. Carter’s stern expression softened, regret flashing in her eyes. “I… I didn’t know,” she admitted, clearly moved.
Principal Thompson continued, “We talk about integrity and courage, but today we have a real example. This young man put another’s life before his own convenience. That deserves celebration, not scolding.”
The classroom erupted into applause. The boy, shy and overwhelmed, could only manage a small smile as classmates patted him on the back and gave thumbs up.
