How Lucky You Are

Innledning
Every single day, 84,000 individuals succumb to hunger. Another 42,500 people are uprooted due to war and conflicts, while a staggering 29,000 children under the age of five lose their lives.

Yet, in the midst of these grim statistics, we often find ourselves complaining about trivial inconveniences, like a missing espresso shot in a seven-dollar Starbucks latte.

We fail to recognize the privilege and abundance we possess while disregarding the struggles faced by those who have nothing.

It's only when we encounter someone who opens our eyes to the harsh realities of life that we begin to comprehend how fortunate we truly are.

Utdrag
At sixteen years old, Max emerges as a rebellious and artistic individual, on the brink of attending a prestigious art school near London.

He lives with his mother, as his father departed a year ago, leaving a lingering sense of bitterness within him and triggering a loss of control: "This time last year, he'd been full of enthusiasm for his new school.

Until the day he came home to find a bulging rucksack in the hallway" (line 10, page 1). Max's defiance surfaces when he decides to skip school, disregarding an important math assessment: "'You can't bunk off,' he objected.

'We've got a Math assessment today'" (line 28, page 1). His father's abandonment continues to shape his behavior, manifesting in acts of rebellion and detachment from academic responsibilities.

At the story's outset, Max appears as someone who doesn't fully appreciate his opportunities: "You're lucky to have a place at the Brit - and you are just wasting it" (line 32, page 1).

His friend, Dan, points out Max's lack of gratitude for securing a spot at an art school, taking it for granted. As the narrative progresses, Max's relationship with his mother undergoes a transformation.