Listening to Each Other

It is of great importance how patient children are with each other, how they tolerate weaknesses, strange things, unusual inner and outer characteristics. Their empathic attention comes naturally. 

They have tolerated the eccentricities of the five-year-old autistic girl, Éva, without a word: her wanderings about and her gratuitous and nonsensical interruptions. They accepted Peti with his roaming about under the tables and whispering, after a while they did not react to the rude words he threw out at them. Andi, with her hearing problem, and the blind Erzsi both were as naturally received with their own temporary whims, bad moods or impatience. 

Family mourning, and unexpected trouble were not received with hypocrisy. The children could approach those in trouble with real empathy. They could also recognize a toothache or a headache endured in silence. They did not bother Miklós sticking in the corner for weeks with coat and hat on. They were careful with Terka who rushed at one of them after dashing about, and Marci, as well during his terrifying rompings. 

They were sparing and saving me, for they did not whine, and did not keep accusing other children.