The story highlights the struggles of a young boy, Scotty, who cannot afford lunch at school. A cleaning lady, Darlene, tries to help him by buying his meal, but the cafeteria manager harshly enforces rules against giving food for free, creating tension. When Darlene stands up for Scotty, she faces hostility from the manager, leading to a confrontation about the moral responsibility to feed hungry children. Eventually, the principal intervenes after learning about the situation, leading to a change in cafeteria policy to ensure that students who can't afford lunch will receive food. The narrative also touches on themes of respect, culture, and the importance of kindness in a rigid system.