Another kind of hit and run

I stood at the enterprise Rent a Car center waiting for my car. It was a busy evening and the road was buzzing with cars. About 50 feet away, I saw a small boy crossing in the middle of the road. Vehicles came to a screeching halt as he weaved his way through them playfully. He had almost crossed over when one car came at a high speed and hit him. The kid flew and fell on the road, his cap and shoes flying with him. He just lay there, making no sound or movement.

I ran to the spot. People from other cars had come out to look at him. Someone screamed, "Call 911". The lady whose car hit him stood motionless in shock. She collapsed at a nearby bench waiting for the ambulance. Slowly the boy came to his senses and started crying feebly. An unknown man got out of his car and talked soothingly to the child; another lady brought out paper napkins to stop the bleeding; the neighboring store called 911; the ambulance and police had arrived and the news helicopters were buzzing above the whole scene. The only thing missing was some person who took responsibility for the kid.

No family member or guardian appeared even when the kid was taken into the ambumed. Everyone knew the kid was running from the McDonalds on the opposite side of the street. He couldn't have been there all by himself. It felt sad that such a small child could be left loose on the road without a care in the world.

Just the next day, I was discussing the COMPASS life skills program with a colleague where we have a whole session on consequences of actions and I found myself thinking, 'That kid has learnt that lesson for life; but at a very high price. If only he had someone who could have taught him that without needing to have a first hand experience.'