The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond XXXI

Eric-Lloyd Perryman
Aaron Cohen, Teacher
Jackson Mann K-8 School, Allston, MA
Being peer pressured is the scariest thing ever, especially from a friend that
you knew for a while.
I really enjoy buying things from the convenience store. To me it’s fun and it
makes me feel grown up. However, I truly hate going to the store and getting
something you want then realizing that you don’t have enough money. It
makes me feel dumb.
In fourth grade I had a friend who had the same bus stop as me. One day I
had $4 and there was a convenience store next to our bus stop, so my friend
and I went to the store. I went to get my stuff which cost $2. Then I went to see
what my friend was doing, and he had three things which totalled $3. I told
him I didn’t have enough money for all five things, but he really wanted the
snacks, so he suggested stealing them.
“That’s why to me
courage means doing
the right thing
even if it means
losing a friend.”
I was surprised. Never before had I thought of stealing. I told him we
shouldn’t steal, yet he insisted that we should. He said to put it in my backpack
because he didn’t have enough space in his. Again I told him no, and he
called me a scaredy-cat. He said I’m not a good friend if I don’t help him.
Then I really became scared, not scared of stealing but of losing a friend
because I didn’t want to steal. Still, I stood my ground and said not to steal
even though I didn’t want to lose a friend over something so simple.
He put one thing back, and we went to the counter. I was happy he listened
because I didn’t want him stealing. I paid for the stuff, got my change back,
and left. I didn’t even say goodbye. I was angry because my friend threatened
our friendship if I didn’t help him steal. While walking home the only thing
on my mind was, “Should I still be friends with him?” because he wanted me
to shoplift and didn’t even seem sorry. After that we rarely talked, and the
next year he didn’t come to school so I don’t know where or how he is. This
was probably the most courage I’ve ever had. That’s why to me courage means
doing the right thing even if it means losing a friend.
The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond
Volume XXXI
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