He let the words settle.
“Let me ask everyone in this room a simple question. How many of you have ever been hungry?”
A few hands rose.
“Now, how many of you have ever gone to sleep without knowing whether you would eat the next day?”
Fewer hands remained raised.
The judge nodded.
“Those who have never experienced that fear should be grateful. But gratitude must never become indifference.”
He looked toward Adam.
“This boy should learn that stealing is wrong. But he should also learn that asking for help is not shameful, that poverty does not erase dignity, and that his community has not abandoned him.”
Nobody spoke.
Then an elderly woman stood.
She reached into her purse, removed a five-dollar bill, and placed it on the table near the front.
“I don’t have much,” she said, “but I can give this.”
A construction worker followed her.
He placed ten dollars beside it.
