Jason and Thea: Two street children who value honesty
A STORY OF HOPE FOR THE FUTURE
URDANETA CITY –Penniless, begging on the streets and most of the time uncertain where their next meal will come from, two street children showed jaded adults that their situation was not enough to give up one value that was taught them early on -to be honest.
So who would be the first to be surprised when Jason Manuel, 11 and Thea Dela Cruz, 8, both from Barangay Poblacion here turned over an expensive digital camera that they chanced upon in an eatery, to the police station?
No less than the city’s police chief!
Jason and Thea, surrounded by their friends in the streets, happily stand around the police desk as they tell their story about the digital camera (in cop’s hand) they found.
P/Supt. Jeffrey Fanged said he was so moved by the unadulterated innocence of the two who simply sheepishly smiled back when the policeman on duty recounted to him what the two had done.
“I was so amazed and awed by what these two street children have shown. If they, who have nothing to eat and young at that, would still have the decency to return what does not belong to them, their act should serve as a wake- up call to adults,” Fanged said.
The police chief was so impressed that he had pictures of Jason and Thea posted in the city police station’s Facebook (Urdaneta City’s Finest) for others to emulate and to be inspired. He narrated the station’s experience with the two street children to all and sundry, praising the kids for “their great sense of honesty.”
“NOT OURS”
It was Oct. 21 and sunset had just set in and the two were, as usual, roaming the streets hoping to find some place, something to eat for dinner.
As they passed an eatery, the saw the camera on the chair and nobody seemed to be aware of its presence there. They decided that it was left by an absentminded customer so they took it to a place where it would be safe and where the owner will likely go to look for it – the police station which was nearby.
Just as they were about to walk to the police station, they saw SPO1 Edward Ragonton walking towards the station. They approached him and told him about their find and asked him to take it.
Ragonton decided to invite Jason and Thea to the police station so he could record details of their story and the lost camera.
But as of Oct 24 Thursday, no one has come forward to claim the camera.
Fanged said anyone who will claim it as his or hers must describe the specifications of the unit to be sure it is handed to the rightful owner.
As to Jason and Thea, there has been no monetary reward because no grateful owner has turned up. But the satisfaction that they had a chance to show the police that they are honest street children, evidently made their day.
When asked why they never thought of running away with the expensive camera, being hungry with no means, they simply replied it was not theirs. -(Eva Visperas)
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