Short Story Selection: "The Park Bench Promise"

It was a crisp autumn afternoon when Marisol spotted a worn leather backpack sitting alone on the old wooden bench in Lincoln Park. She recognized it—it was the same bag her classmate, Daniel, always carried to school. The bench was just a few blocks from Maplewood Middle School, a place they both passed every day.

Marisol hesitated for a moment. She knew Daniel had been having a hard time lately. His father worked extra shifts, and Daniel often looked tired and distracted in class. She imagined how he’d feel waking up the next morning without his assignments, journals, and that small sketchbook he used to draw cartoons of his little sister.

When the final bell rang, Marisol rushed over to the bench and grabbed the backpack. Inside, she found Daniel’s pencil case, math homework, and the sketchbook—where a new drawing showed two figures holding hands under a starlit sky. A note fell out, reading, “Don’t forget to smile. – Mom.”

She knew exactly what to do. Marisol hurried to Daniel’s house, only two streets away. Daniel’s mother opened the door, surprised to see Marisol.

“Oh, Marisol. Thank you! Daniel was so upset when he realized he lost it,” she said, her eyes glistening.

As Marisol walked home, she thought about how small actions could mean so much. The next day at school, she noticed Daniel sitting alone at lunch, staring at the empty seat beside him. Remembering how fragile hope could feel, she approached him with a shy smile.

“Hey, Daniel,” she said softly. “I returned your backpack yesterday. I saw it at the park.”

Daniel’s face lit up. “You did? I’ve been so worried. Thank you.”

Marisol slid into the seat next to him. “I know it’s not the same, but I brought an extra granola bar if you’re hungry.” She held out the wrapper with a grin.

Daniel laughed and accepted it. Together, they ate in comfortable silence, warmed by more than just the afternoon sun.

As the leaves danced toward the ground outside, Marisol realized that empathy wasn’t just understanding someone else’s feelings—it was choosing to act on them, making another person’s day a little brighter.

Circle of Compassion Discussion Guide

Purpose: Create a safe, respectful space for students to explore characters’ emotions, connect personally, and practice empathetic listening and speaking.

Discussion Norms (Review before beginning)

• Listen actively without interrupting.
• Speak from your own experience using “I” statements.
• Respect all perspectives—no judgments or put-downs.
• Keep contributions concise so everyone has a chance to share.
• Encourage peers with nods or positive remarks.

Roles (Rotate each discussion round)

1. Discussion Facilitator: Introduces questions and keeps the group on topic.
2. Timekeeper: Watches the clock to ensure each question gets fair time.
3. Note-Taker: Jots down key ideas, connections, or questions on chart paper.
4. Empathy Checker: Listens for empathetic language and highlights examples.

Discussion Steps (15 minutes)

1. Setup (1 min)
   • Form a circle. Remind students of the norms and assign roles.
2. Opening Question (3 min)
   • “What emotion did Marisol feel when she saw the lost backpack? How can you tell?”
3. Deepening Inquiry (6 min)
   • Guiding Questions:
     • What words, actions, or details in the story showed empathy?
     • If you were Daniel, how would you have reacted?
     • How does Marisol’s choice to act connect to your own experiences?
4. Personal Connection (3 min)
   • “Recall a time you helped someone who was upset. What did you do or say?”
5. Closing Reflection (2 min)
   • Empathy Checker shares one example of empathetic language heard today.
   • Facilitator asks: “What is one small action you can take this week to show empathy?”

Follow-Up Prompts

• “Why do you think empathy matters in our classroom or community?”
• “How might Daniel’s day have been different if Marisol hadn’t acted?”
• “What challenges might keep us from acting on our empathy, and how can we overcome them?”

Empathy Reflection Journal

Use the space below each prompt to write thoughtful responses.

1. Reflect on Marisol’s choice in the story. How did she show empathy, and why do you think her small action had a big impact on Daniel?

1. Think of a time when you noticed someone in need of kindness. What did you do or say? How did that experience make you feel both during and after the moment?

1. Identify one specific empathetic action you can take this week in our classroom or community. Describe your plan and explain how you hope it will help someone else.