The Gift of Giving

Darcie sat in her seat trying her best to concentrate on the book lying open in front of her. In spite of herself, her eyes kept straying toward the other kids as they noisily came back into the classroom. They were all carrying the half pint cartons of chocolate milk that sold for three cents.

Darcie never had three cents to spend on the morning break treat. Sometimes she would hurried to the restroom and then reclaim her seat while the other kids stood in line to purchase their chocolate milk. She would always pretend to read while the other kids happily drank their milk.

However, today was Friday. Fridays were special. On Fridays, Mrs. Jackson, their first grade teacher, always walked around the room and quietly placed the small cartons of milk on the desks of the children who could not buy them. She never said a word. She just placed them on their desks and then would return to her desk. Darcie loved Fridays.

As always, the half pint carton of milk was placed beside her book. Darcie glanced up, but Mrs. Jackson had already moved down the aisle to place a carton on Joey Simms' desk. Darcie smiled happily. She really, really loved chocolate milk. It was the best thing in the world. She closed her book and picked up the small carton, her mouth watering.

Darcie shook the small carton and glanced toward Joey's desk. He smiled back at her. Just then Bobby Thomas walked by between Joey's desk and Cynthia Jones' desk. Bobby was sometimes mean. Darcie didn't understand why, but she tried to stay out of his way.

Without making a sound, Bobby reached out and knocked Cynthia's open container of milk off her desk. As it splashed to the ground, Cynthia let out a cry of dismay.

Darcie looked up as Bobby smiled a mean little grin. He was looking right at her. His slitted eyes dared her to tell on him.

As Cynthia cried over her spilt milk, Mrs. Jackson tried to calm her. She cried even harder when Mrs. Jackson said there was no more chocolate milk.

Darcie glanced down at the carton of milk in her hand. She could taste the rich, chocolate flavor. Suddenly, she rose out of her seat and hurried over to Cynthia's desk. "Here, Cynthia, you can have mine." She placed the precious little carton down in front of the crying girl. Cynthia stopped crying immediately and grabbed the milk. "Thank you, Darcie," was all she said as she opened the carton.

Darcie returned to her desk and opened her book. She felt Mrs. Jackson staring at her.

When the dismissal bell rang, Mrs. Jackson asked Darcie to stay for a moment. After all the kids had left the room, she motioned for Darcie to come forward.

"Darcie, I don't understand. Why did you give your chocolate milk to Cynthia? She gets milk everyday."

Darcie smiled shyly. "Mrs. Jackson, everyone is always giving me things. Sometimes the other kids bring me their outgrown clothes and shoes and the church brings us food. And you always give us chocolate milk on Fridays. I just wanted to know how it felt to be the one giving something." She tilted her head up to look her teacher in the eye. "And you know what, Mrs. Jackson? It felt really good."