After the exercises, the turkey foot and corn were thrown into the wastebasket. Teacher set aside the apples to take home. She asked if anyone wanted the little pumpkin pie. Thirty mouths watered; thirty hands itched to go up into the air
but no one moved. Some were poor, many were hungry and all were too proud to accept charitable food. When no one
responded, Teacher ordered the pie thrown away.
Francie couldn't stand it, that beautiful pie thrown away and she had never tasted pumpkin pie. To her it was the food of
covered wagon people, of Indian fighters. She was dying to taste it. In a flash she invented a lie and up went her hand.
"I'm glad someone wants it," said Teacher.
"I don't want it for myself," lied Francie proudly. "I know a very poor family I'd like to give it to."
"Good," said Teacher. "That's the real Thanksgiving spirit."
Based on this excerpt, what is the author's purpose in writing?