Here's what Lena does:
* She observes: Lena notices the rat being chased and the fear and cruelty in the children's actions.
* She empathizes: Lena understands how scared the rat must be and feels sorry for it.
* She takes action (indirectly): Lena doesn't try to stop the children, but she focuses her attention on the rat. She begins to think about it and imagine its life, trying to understand it. This empathetic understanding is her way of acting against the cruelty.
* She finds her own voice: Lena's focus on the rat helps her to connect with her own emotions and find her voice, which is crucial in the overall story.
Lena's actions are important because they highlight the power of empathy and understanding, even in situations where direct confrontation might not be possible or effective.