There’s so much to learn as a kid! In school, you’re constantly surrounded by letters, and numbers and multiplication tables and equations and quizzes and tests. There’s just so much to soak up in the classroom. You’re also learning about social graces, etiquette, punctuality and how to treat others. While some essential education goes on in school, there are still plenty of lessons to be learned outside of the classroom.
But, I think it’s safe to say that although children are the ones who learn from adults on a daily basis, there is also so much a grown-up can learn from a kid! They’re always teaching us lessons on honesty and compassion, and if you need an example of one such story and child, then continue reading for more.
For 4-year-old Austin Perine, from Birmingham, Alabama, USA, he learned a very important lesson while he and his dad, TJ, were watching a TV show about pandas. He noticed the mom panda abandoning the baby panda. TJ told Austin that now the baby is homeless, going on to further explain what it means, and how people can be homeless too.
Austin couldn’t imagine a world where people are abandoned. Once he learned that there are folks in this world – in his city – who don’t have a roof over their heads or food on their plate, he took it upon himself to do something about it. He donned a red cape and using his saved money and allowance, President Austin, his superhero name, he hit the streets with his dad.
But first, Austin goes and spends his money on things other than what an average child would buy. TJ takes his son out to buy lots of chicken sandwiches. The boy and his father will walk around some of the rougher parts of town during the day to hand out food and talk to the homeless, who he refers to as his customers.
The customers love to open up to him, always kind and gracious and grateful for this sweet caped crusader.
President Austin also imparts a little bit of wisdom and hope with each meal. As he hands out the food, he says, “Don’t forget to show love,” his motto and trademark. And immediately, most do, getting down to hug him and say thank you. “Even if you help one person you’ve made a difference, and don’t forget to show love,” says Austin. What a shining light!
Click below to watch President Austin doing what he loves to do!
