From an early age, we learn that 911 stands for emergency. It’s the number we call if the house is on fire, there’s been a robbery, or someone’s been hurt.

Lately, there has been a surge of young children calling 911. A few weeks ago, it was an absolutely adorable 4-year-old boy who called 911 for help with his “take aways” (subtraction). The operator, first thinking that the boy had a problem with his “mouth,” instead of his “math,” went ahead and helped. However, the call was soon disconnected once the boy’s mother discovered just whom he had called for help.

A few days ago, another little boy, this time a 6-year-old, called 911 saying his mother had left him and his 4-year-old sister. The almost 20 minute call is heartbreaking, yet a show of courage, as the little boy looks after his sister and waits for the police to arrive.