Thanksgiving 2025 - Recap of an exercise in gratitude

 

Our Bala Vihar celebrated Thanksgiving 2025 with a potluck and an experiment called the “Hunger Banquet.” The purpose of the experiment was to show that no matter how much food you have, you should still be thankful and not wasteful. Especially when the person next to you is eying your plate like a hawk. Everyone was split into three groups, Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3. Group 1 was considered the lowest class, Group 2 was the middle class and got not too much and not too little food, kind of like goldilocks style and Group 3 was the highest class. Kind of like life but with way more hungry people and way less taxes.

Group 1 was seated on the floor and only got mac and cheese. Even though Group 1 only got mac and cheese, they were still thankful for what they had and didn’t complain. Sure they saw that others were getting better meals, like spectators at a cooking show. But they were still thankful for what they got. They knew that a small meal was better than none. After all, there are people out there who don’t even get mac and cheese, not even the kind that has 90% cheese powder and 10% noodles.

Then, Group 2 was seated on chairs and got mac and cheese and chips with dip. Basically the VIP lounge compared to group one's floor seating. They understood that others might be getting better meals but that doesn’t mean you can’t be thankful for what you have. They ate everything on their plate knowing that many people were going to bed hungry and also knowing that no one wants to be remembered as the kid who wastes chips. They realized that they got chairs (four legged luxury thrones) and were grateful for that. After all, you had been sitting on the floor for an hour.  A folding chair feels like a recliner at the spa.

Lastly, Group 3 got the extra VIP treatment. With chairs and a table, yes a table. Their plates looked like a festival with enchiladas, chips with dip, mac and cheese, spring rolls and juice. The kind of luxury you only see in commercials . Honestly, the only thing missing was a chocolate fountain and a personal chef with a French accent. Group 3 didn’t enjoy the feast, they devoured it like they were trying to win a Guinness world record. Group 3 knew that they had been given a full meal and were grateful for it. They made sure to eat every single noodle on their plate and not cook extra food they couldn’t eat. If you have been given full meals everyday you can donate to those in need.

We then had to walk around and examine each group's plate. We felt a little like being a food critic except nobody offered us free samples. Finally we could eat. Then we put our plates down and went back to our seats to have a group discussion on how we felt. First group 1 went up and said it's not fair because people got more than us but we should still be grateful for what we have. (A fair point even without dessert as bribery.) Then group 2 went up and said even if we may not have the best nor worst meals we still appreciate the meals that we have and must understand that we are lucky to be having a meal at all (no michelin stars needed). Then group 3 said that we should eat everything on our plate and not complain even if the food is not amazing because there are people out there that can only afford 1 meal a day. Be grateful for what we got. Basically no whining unless the broccoli starts talking. Everyone thought this was some test (we were ready for a pop quiz or hidden camera show) but it was a lesson. The lesson is to be grateful for what you have because some people might not even have anything compared to you. We learned after the experiment about the starving kids and adults everywhere in the world. We all felt bad for them because they had nothing to eat. We realized our responsibility to share. Hence we decided to collaborate with a local organization and participate in a food drive on December 20. Happy holidays and may your plate always be full.

--Akshara, Aadya, & Saanvi