Definition:

 A grateful person is thankful for people, nature, and things and is able to make the best of what they have, even if it’s not as much as what others have.  Stewardship means showing  thankfulness for what we have by taking good care of what we’ve been given. 

In short: Thankful for every blessing, big or small.

Summary:

A former American Air Force soldier  heard this true story when he was in Viet Nam. An orphanage was hit by a bomb and children were injured as a result. The medical staff were concerned about saving a girl who needed a blood transfusion. They needed to find someone who had the same blood type as the girl. None of the adults there had the same blood type, but a small boy did and he courageously consented to help. As they drew blood from him, he cried, not from the pain but for a different reason. They finally understood why he was upset. He thought he had to give all his blood to her, and even though he cried, he was willing to die. When he finally understood that he only had to give some of his blood, he explained why he had been willing to give all of it. He said: “She is my friend.” Because he was grateful for their friendship, he was willing to make the greatest sacrifice one could make. Even though he was just a child, he was willing to give up his life for his friend.  

Lesson Objectives: 

1. This story can be linked to a history lesson about the war in Viet Nam (simplified for 10 and 11 year olds)
2. The virtue of gratitude is so powerful that it inspired this little boy to be willing to give up his life for his friend. Students demonstrate understanding of this as they reflect on the story through discussion and write about their own gratitudes.  

Guiding Questions: 

1. Can you explain why this boy in the story is a hero? 
2. How do you think the girl who received his blood felt when she heard what he did for her? 
3. Do you think the boy thought about his decision when he was asked to give blood, or did he agree right away? Remember, he thought he was asked to give all his blood. 
4. How do you think the boy felt when he realized that he didn’t have to give all his blood? 
5. Would you like this boy as a friend? Why? 
6. Have you ever done anything for someone else that involved giving up something that you valued a lot? If so, please share about it. 
7. How does the boy’s willingness to give his blood reflect the theme of gratitude? 
8. How does the sacrifice expressed by the boy impact the others in the story? 
9.  Do you think you feel grateful enough for your friends and family? If not, what could you do to show more gratitude? 
10.  How does the story show that gratitude and friendship go hand in hand?