When giving counts (a story)
Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare & serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister.
I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "Yes I'll do it if it will save her." As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheek. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded.
He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away"
The little boy had misunderstood the doctor. He thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.
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This reminds me of an interview with a child psychologist I saw. In a session with two very young brothers he was asking them, "Who is stronger?" One of the brothers would point to the other. "Who is more intelligent?" The same brother would point to the other. "Who is braver?" The same action. "Who is faster?" Again. At this point the psychologist said, "He can´t be better at everything. You must be better at something than your brother. What are YOU more than your brother?" The small kid thought for a second and simply said, "I am more brother."
Holy shit. Kids, some can be angels and others total little demons! Great story.