Bit of an odd one... can't remember the names either...
Well, I tend to use the computer at home a bit, and every now and then people add me to their list at random.

This person wasn't an exception. I ignored the "Hi M8" things and the "ASL?" requests, but no matter what, this annoyance kept on coming back. Sometimes it'd be abusive, sometimes just annoying, but oneday I was bored though, and I decided to accept the challenge of a conversation.

The grammar was non-existent, the spelling was horrific, and the phraseology was right out of Charver 101. I usually Like talking to random lasses, but this one was unreal. Stupid and mind-numbingly immature. I fired off the usual 'off the shelf' insults "work at McD's?" etc... and got a reply that I didn't expect.

"Not old enough to have a job"

oh... alright.. how old was this person? I'd assumed they were about 19...

"Fuck off.. why whould I tell you"
Because I've just been slamming the hell out of you because of your childishness, but maybe you ARE a child and I should be cutting you some slack!!
"Oh... well, I'm 11"
Riiiight. In which case I'm sorry for being mean. I had no idea you where that young

Needless to say I can't remember everything that happened or how it was said... but I'll do my best.

The conversation continued, and we spoke on and off for a few days. I had been wrong. It wasn't a girl either. It was a little lad. He told me he was in the 'web to find some friends or at least someone to talk to, and he asked where I lived. I sent a couple of google links to Swedish picture searches, and he seemed to love the idea of other countries etc. He then said that he wished he could live in another land, but he had to move to London with his mum.

"Really? Why are you moving there?"
My mum says I have to, or she'll chuck me out on the street
"Woah... that's a bit mean. She's probably joking..."
No she's not. She hits me, it really hurts.

*Humpty stops and takes stock*: An 11 yearold Manchestor kid has confided in me... he's unhappy, in need of mates and claims that his mum is violent towards him. 2 options... he's taking me for a ride... (look out for requests for financial support) or he's serious. No harm in talking to the lad... What could possibly go wrong?

"She hits you?"
That's not good, why does she do that?
I don't know. She said she wishes I was dead, and that I'm ruining her life.
Have you told anyone?
No, I don't want to. My sister and my mum like each other.
Right. Let's get this straight. Your mum hits you, and it makes you unhappy.. and you haven't told anyone?
Yeah...
Well that's wrong. Your mum is supposed to help you as you grow up, not hit you. You *really* need to tell someone and talk to them about it.
Yeah, but who?
Teachers. You could try telling them?
I'm not good at school, the teachers don't like me
That doesn't matter. This is FAR more important than school, and they will know that. They'll help. It doesn't even have to be one of your teachers. Pick someone you like, or one of your friend's teachers and ask if you can talk to them... Tell them everything that you've told me.
Are you sure that'll be ok?
Yes. Absolutely. That's what teachers are for. Teaching is only a bit of their job, looking after pupils is what it's ALL about.
Ok.
and I'll be here as usual... ok?
yup.

******************************

I heard nothing for a couple of days... then a girl named Haley added me to her list.

She started out with "You don't know me but you know my brother."
*Oh shit... here we go: Kiddy-fiddling accusations..*
"I just wanted to say thankyou. I think you may have saved his life...."

It turned out that the day after I took the time to speak with him properly, he'd walked into school, and with a thumping heart, had walked up to his maths teacher - for whom he had some respect - and told him exactly what he'd told me.

According to his sister who'd been at home that day, police turned up at her mum's doorstep at midday and took her away. Both she and her brother were now living with their biological dad, and they were both really enjoying it.

The night that all this had happened and after social services had spoken to them both, Her little brother then went and sat on her bed and pulled his shirt up - for the first time ever his sister found out that her mum had been beating him. He was covered in bruises - all over his body. He told her about talking t me, and he told her that he's been thinking of killing himself: his classmates had surmised that this was probably his only option anyway.

So... she thanked me for being there when he needed someone, and giving good advice in a way that he could identify with it. It was a pretty cool feeling.

**************************

Kids might type like shit...
They may not embrace correct grammar..
They may really piss you off...
They might swear and spit...

...but underneath, some of them are just lost little kids.

Don't write them all off.. not yet.
( Humpty Dumpty was Pushed Is unaware of having any limits., Mon 21 Apr 2008, 12:28, 27 replies)

I hope this is a true QOTW
Because if it was, it's truly beautiful and has restored my somewhat lagging faith in humanity
( M o D, Mon 21 Apr 2008, 12:33, closed)

Crikey!
Bet you feel well proud of yourself! That's sweet, too! Deserves a click in my book!
( Methylene Blue - electrohead, Mon 21 Apr 2008, 12:35, closed)

it is.
Absoloutly true.

Was about 18 months ago I think. Still in touch with the lad: he spent last summer living with his aunt in Spain and started to learn Spanish... Just blimmin' fantastic. =)
( Humpty Dumpty was Pushed Is unaware of having any limits., Mon 21 Apr 2008, 12:35, closed)

Bloody Well Done
Humpty, you may be a rotten-fish mimsy vomiting scoundrel, but fucking well done.

*Salutes*
(osok Rebel without a clue, Mon 21 Apr 2008, 12:36, closed)

Nice work,
Well done on actually taking the time to listen.
( Cawl, Mon 21 Apr 2008, 12:38, closed)

Wow.
That's absolutely wonderful - well done.

I have been in the situation where I've given random people advice on the internet, but nothing as large as this.

Massive kudos to you.

*bows down*
( Mike Fishcake teamfishcake.co.uk - better than your mum's face, Mon 21 Apr 2008, 12:40, closed)

*sniffs*
*wipes eye*

*clicks*
(Bazongaloid, Mon 21 Apr 2008, 12:51, closed)

Well done "Uncle" Humpty
<Clickity>
( Fireflier La la la la, not listening on, Mon 21 Apr 2008, 12:52, closed)

Without wishing to either embarrass Humpty or inflate his ego (which is already of epic proportions ;))
I can vouch for his advice giving - he listened to me nearly two years ago when I was having a rough time.

Unfortunately there was one drawback to all of this - he introduced me to b3ta.
( chickenlady b3ta's very own Elizabeth Taylor, Mon 21 Apr 2008, 12:58, closed)

Wonderful
Just wonderful.

There's so much stuff on B3TA that is irrelevant, disrespectful, rude and sick, that something like this really stands out.

And I bet *this* story doesn't get into the Daily Mail as a cautionary tale of what can happen to kids on the internet.
( Amish Information Systems hates misplaced, commas, Mon 21 Apr 2008, 13:16, closed)

Hmm.
I have been mulling here for a bit trying to phrase an appropriate response as you've put me in a quietly pleasant mood with this tale.
Bugger it, have a click.
(Sundayturkey has the biggest mug of tea, Mon 21 Apr 2008, 13:19, closed)

Wow...
Wow...
...just...wow. Well done sir.


If this doesn't at least make the 'best of' page, then I weep for humanity.
(Celebgil, Mon 21 Apr 2008, 13:28, closed)

In today's paranoid 'the internet is evil and bad for children' world...
what you did could have been a massive risk (for you).

Good for you for not taking the 'easy' option for fear of what potential reprisals there could have been. There's not many people can really claim to have made a difference in such a way.
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Mon 21 Apr 2008, 13:32, closed)

^All of this^
*click*
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Mon 21 Apr 2008, 13:40, closed)

You are a scholar and a gentleman
It's a pity I can only click once.
( Boss Keloid Got your mother's maiden name tattooed on my arm, Mon 21 Apr 2008, 13:44, closed)

Well Done!!!
Repeats what everyone else has said above ^^

To the point, It's even made me stop and think about some of my actions and maybe in the future, I'll stop and think or act differently - as you say, afterall - they're just kids - it's easy to forget

*Click*
(TheManofScience, Mon 21 Apr 2008, 14:06, closed)

Seriously good stuff
You have my teary respect and this *click*
( seeballs Doo da da doo da da doo da da doo, da da doo da do, Mon 21 Apr 2008, 14:07, closed)

...
A bit much real life for a Monday morning- I'm a bit blue-screened at the moment. *click* for taking the chance.
( The Resident Loon Not a demographic. Do not measure., Mon 21 Apr 2008, 14:15, closed)

its an interesting one.
Must admit if some kid added me to MSN i wouldnt want to keep them on there in fear of being a dodgy adult. I wouldnt want some kid adding me to MSN then the cops coming round and taking my computers away coz ive been talking to underage people. Furthermore id be seen as that "stranger".

It seems in this case though that that kid was crying out for someone to help. And the only person he felt safe confiding in is some stranger on the internet. So good on you for that, and it sounds like things have worked out for him as a result. Its amazing how just a short bit of time in one persons life can change someone elses for the better like that. Anyway th is will make the front page if not the winner coz im clickying too :) *CLICK*
(Miggyman, Mon 21 Apr 2008, 15:05, closed)

Awesome!
A truly deserved click. You sir have made me smile. :)

*clickety*
(zeroSignal, Mon 21 Apr 2008, 15:12, closed)

What a lucky kid...
...for stumbling upon you.
And, glad you're still in touch with the lad.
( Tourette's ( . )( . ) has a monkey hair in her fried egg, Mon 21 Apr 2008, 19:09, closed)

you should be very proud of yourself
there is no telling what this boy could become one day but, if it wasn't for you, he would most likely have ended up as just another sorry statistic. any time you're feeling low, just remember the amazing thing you've done for this boy. i'm sure he'll never forget it.
*clicks*
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Mon 21 Apr 2008, 19:24, closed)

You're a lovely person.
He's lucky to have met you. :)

*clicks repeatedly*
(Poppet some assembly required., Tue 22 Apr 2008, 7:21, closed)

Very nice
people like you help give us all good names.
(Leoninus "Never lick a fresh turd on a hot day.", Tue 22 Apr 2008, 10:35, closed)

Story brought a tear to my eye
If I could click twice, I would...
(The Who Bird is eating Jaffa Cakes on, Tue 22 Apr 2008, 23:52, closed)

Well done
It's good to see that there's still caring people like you out there in the world today
(Howling_Mad Gave God the finger on:, Wed 23 Apr 2008, 4:03, closed)

A clear winner methinks
top work sir. This is the kind of QOTW answer that got me hooked on B3ta in the first place...

As for what followed... well...
( Sonic James Doom forgetting the date since... umm..., Wed 23 Apr 2008, 9:38, closed)