A Modern Moral Story on Empathy: Getting into Others’ Shoes
Aryan’s Struggles in School
Aryan’s first day at his new school felt terrifying. His heart was racing, and fear froze him inside. He could almost hear the echoes of his past—“dumbo, dumbo.”
In his earlier school, Aryan had struggled to concentrate and learn quickly. That made him an easy target. His classmates mocked him, called him names, and left him to sit alone at the back. Even teachers could not do much. His parents finally decided to shift him to a new school, hoping for a change.
But old fears followed him. On the first day, Aryan chose a corner seat at the back, hoping to stay unnoticed. He kept quiet through every class. Yet, some children teased him again for being silent. One boy shouted, “Look at that dumbo!” Aryan buried his face on the desk, wishing to disappear.
Rahul’s Act of Empathy
Rahul, the class topper, had been observing Aryan all day. After the final class, as everyone left, Rahul walked over and said softly, “Hi, I am Rahul. Can I be your friend?”
Aryan looked puzzled, unsure how to respond. Rahul smiled, sat beside him, and added, “You can sit with me tomorrow. You can copy my notes during breaks. If you have doubts, we can solve them together.”
Something lit up in Aryan’s eyes. A sparkle. A smile. No one had ever understood his pain before. Yet Rahul did—by stepping into Aryan’s shoes.
A Spark of Hope
The two walked out of school together, chatting. Aryan’s parents, watching from a distance, could hardly believe it. His mother hugged Rahul with tears of gratitude, whispering, “Thank you so much.” She knew Rahul had done something powerful—he had chosen empathy over judgement.
From that day on, Rahul and Aryan became close friends. With support, Aryan began focusing better, slowly improving in studies. His world was changing. He was no longer the “dumbo.” He was just Aryan—happy, learning, and understood.
Moral of the Story:
Empathy creates a ray of hope. Try to understand others instead of criticising them.
By Shabnum Khan, Author of Upgrade Your Parenting
Explore more Books by Shabnum:
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Each story helps children learn values in a fun and relatable way.
Continue Your Parenting Journey
Parenting is about teaching values that last a lifetime. If you found this story meaningful, continue your journey with these resources: