A new friend for Leon
When Tom, Hanna, Lukas and Emma entered the classroom, they immediately noticed the new boy sitting alone in his seat. He had dark curls, large glasses, and looked out of the window with sad eyes.
“This must be the new classmate Mrs. Müller spoke of yesterday,” Hanna whispered to Tom.
While Mrs. Müller began the lesson, Leon – that was the name of the new boy – continued to remain silent and did not seem to feel well. During the break, he was just about to sit down on a distant bench with his lunch when Lukas said quietly: “He looks so lonely … Do you think we should do something?”
“Yes!”, Hanna nodded. “Maybe he still feels like a stranger here.” She thought for a moment and added: “You know, in the Bible there is the story of the Good Samaritan. Someone helped a stranger, even though they didn’t know each other at all. Do we want to do the same?”
“Good idea,” Tom said. “But first we should pray.”
The four friends walked a little to the side and folded their hands.
“Dear God, please help us to show Leon that he is not alone. Let us be as kind as the Good Samaritan and give him a warm welcome. Amen.”
Strengthened by prayer, they went resolutely to Leon.
“Hey! I’m Tom, that’s Hanna, Lukas and Emma,” Tom said friendly. “Do you want to eat with us?”
Leon’s eyes widened in surprise. “Um… Really?”
“Of course!” exclaimed Emma. “We have a great place under the tree. Just come with me!”
Hesitantly, Leon got up and followed them to the big oak. While they all opened their lunch boxes, Hanna offered him a few of her apple slices. Tom asked about his old place of residence, and Leon slowly told him about his old school. Soon they were laughing together at funny stories, and Leon seemed much more relaxed.
At the end of the break, Leon said with a small smile: “Thank you for inviting me. I thought it would be hard to make friends here, but you’re really nice.”
The friends were happy that Leon was no longer so sad. Hannah thought back to her prayer and knew that God had given them the right words and ideas.
On that day, they learned that a little kindness—just like the Good Samaritan—can warm a heart and give someone hope. And they noticed: Leon was no longer just the new student – he was now a friend.
Bible passage
The story of the Good Samaritan is found in Luke 10:25-37.
Luke 10:25-37 (Schlachter 2000):
*”And behold, a lawyer stood up and tempted him, saying, ‘Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’
And he said to him, “What is written in the law?” What are you reading?
He answered and said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”
He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this, and you will live!
But he wanted to justify himself and said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
Then Jesus replied and said:
A man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell among the robbers; They stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead.
But it happened that a priest was going down the same street; and when he saw him, he passed on the opposite side.
A Levite also came to the place, saw him, and passed by on the opposite side.
But a Samaritan came near him on his journey; and when he saw him, he had mercy,
and he came to him, bandaged his wounds, and poured oil and wine on them; then he lifted him up on his own animal, led him to an inn, and nursed him.
The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, “Take care of him.” And whatever else you will use, I will pay you when I come back.
Which of these three seems to you to have been the nearest of the one who had fallen among the robbers?
He said, “He who showed mercy to him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Then go and do likewise.” *
