In, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Scout learns many lessons as a young child. She gets into a lot of trouble and is always confused on why certain things happen. Her father, Atticus, never fails to tell her to the truth about the world. One of the most important lessons Atticus teaches Scout is that people are people no matter their race, social class, or past, and they deserve respect. .
The first experience with the lesson of people is people no matter what is with Walter Cunningham. It's the first day is school, and the teacher is new to the area. When the kids are about to eat lunch Miss Caroline notices that Walter doesn't have lunch. So she tried to give him money for one, but he won't take. When Scout realizes that Miss Caroline is confused, she proceeds to say "That's okay ma'am, you'll get to know the country folk after a while. The Cunninghams never took anything they can't pay back- no church baskets and no script stamps. They never took anything off anybody. They get along with what they have. They don't have much, but they get along." (Lee 20). After this, Scout got hit with a ruler and then beat Walter up for this. Jem found them and forced scout to stop; then Jem invited Walter for dinner as an apology. When they get to the house and start eating, Walter asked for syrup. He gets it and pours it all over his food. Scout is taken away by this and stated what he had done. This is when Cal pulls her into the kitchen and says ". Don't matter who they are, anybody who sets foot in this house is your company and don't let me catch you remarking on their ways like you was so high and mighty! Your folks might be better'n the Cunninghams, but it doesn't count for nothin'." (Lee 25). Calpurnia teaches Scout that it doesn't matter who they are, you have to treat them right. Also, you shouldn't think you're better than that person if you're doing better off then them.