Third Grade Chili Day

My mom is a teacher at the elementary school that I attended, some days I liked it, and others I did not. One day in third grade I was blessed to have her there. In elementary school we had long tables that you sat at with your class. As third graders we also ate lunch with the fourth graders. That day at school the cafeteria served chili. I was sitting next to my friend Samantha and we had just finished our lunch, though, being the picky eater that I am, I did not eat any of my chili. Once lunch was over we all stood up and prepared to take our trays to the wash bins. On my way up I realized I had dropped a napkin under the table, so I set my tray down, got under the table and picked it up. But, unfortunately, I hit my tray also on my way up from receiving the napkin. Chili flew everywhere. I got it all over my shirt, my jeans, my shoes and socks, not to mention my friend Samantha standing next to me. We were both mortified. We reeked of chili as if the chili splattered all over us were not enough. My face got really hot and turned bright red and I felt as if everyone was staring at us. I was so embarrassed that I could not even look up at any of the teachers or my friend Samantha. I swore that I heard and saw a couple of the fourth graders at the table near us laughing and I know they were laughing at us. So everyone behind us went around us to take up their trays and Samantha and some of the teachers on duty stayed and helped me clean up the mess I had made.


Luckily, as I stated earlier, my mom worked there. Therefore, I was fortunate enough to be able to go home and change, though I missed the best part of any elementary students’ day, recess. My mom was a little mad because she had to take time out of her teaching to take me home, but I was not punished or scolded. All I remember is that she told me I needed to be more careful and pay attention to what I was doing.

I learned a little humility that day. I learned that the kid who drops his books in the hallway did not do it on propose, nor did he do it to be laughed at. The best thing anyone could have done for me was to help me clean it up and not laugh. That incident just helped me realize that lending a helping hand, and not pointing and making fun of people, means a great deal to people.  The accident impacted my life so that I try to help the kid who everyone laughs because I know he needs help. I am not really close to my friend Samantha anymore, but sometimes when we see each other we reminisce about it and I thank her for being a good friend and helping me out. I have gotten over the accident and I am sure no one but Samantha and I even remember it, but it taught me a life lesson on humility.