Boy in China gives own lunches to mentally impaired mum, eats leftovers, prompting donations

Millions in China were deeply touched by a 12-year-old boy who ate his classmates’ leftovers so he could save his lunch for his mother, who has a mental disability.

Li Shibo, a Primary Two student from a rural area in central China’s Henan province, was discovered by his teacher handing over his canteen lunch to his mother, who was waiting for him outside the school gate.

The teacher, known by the surname Wang, noted that he did not see Li when afternoon class began on October 14. After searching for him, he witnessed a poignant scene.

Li was watching his mother from the other side of the steel gate as she enjoyed his lunch, occasionally fixing her hair. Upon seeing his teacher approach, Li almost ran away, fearing he would be reprimanded for giving away the school’s free lunch. Instead, Wang praised him for his kindness.

Wang recorded the moment on video and shared it on Douyin, which received an overwhelmingly positive response.