Most young people can benefit from having a trusting relationship with an older person. In the story “Thank You, Ma’am,” by Langston Hughes, a young man named Roger tries to steal a woman’s purse. She stops him and drags him home to her house. In the hour that follows, he learns a lot from her.
He learns that life is hard for everyone, being poor doesn’t mean you should make poor decisions, and that people can generous if you have a real need.