When we learn about calling 911 as kids, it feels like a very big responsibility. But occasionally, kids are confused about what constitutes a real emergency (in fact, so are adults – there are too many non-emergency calls that cost cities and families loads of money).

While we have to be careful with first responder resources, one story out of Arizona is proving that point in an endearing way.

A 5-year-old boy named Charlie Skabelund learned a lot about 911 back in October when he used the number to try to order a Happy Meal for his sister. We’re not sure how seriously she was bothering him, but apparently it felt like the kind of emergency that required a burger.

“Do you have an emergency?” dispatcher Anthony Bonilla asks.

“Is this McDonald’s?” Charlie replied.

Not so much, kiddo.

Bonilla told the child that he had called the Mesa Police Department instead and checks a second time to make sure there’s no emergency. But the kindergartener isn’t sure what to do.

He simply replies:

“One Mc-Happy Meal. Ok, bye.”

Then he hung up.

It sounds like Charlie needs to learn about food ordering etiquette as well since that wasn’t quite enough information. And apparently he made multiple calls about his order.

911 dispatchers need to address all calls to make sure everyone is safe, so Bonilla called back. But Charlie was still the one closest to the phone.

He introduced himself as “Anthony Bonilla from the Mesa Police Department,” but when a parent in the background asks who it is, Charlie says it’s McDonald’s.

Finally, Charlie’s dad gets on the phone to check things out – but he doesn’t sound too concerned at first about his son’s misuse of the emergency number.

Luckily, Bonilla was a nice guy who told him that Charlie’s call had made him laugh. But he also tells Mr. Skabelund that he’ll need to send a police car to do a welfare check on the home just in case.

That’s when it sinks in that this is a big deal. Now police resources will need to be diverted to the home to be sure it is just a child’s mistake.

Mr. Skabelund stops laughing and says “Oh my gosh,” but Bonilla kindly jokes that maybe the officer will stop at McDonald’s first.

But now the family has to get ready for a visit from the police.

It is, technically, illegal to misuse 911 if you don’t have an emergency, but this is clearly a teaching moment for young Charlie (and his parents).

About 15 minutes after the call, officer Randolph “Scott” Valdez pulled into the Skabelund’s driveway. But it was what was in his hands that made Charlie’s mom reach for her phone to snap a few pictures – he was carrying a Happy Meal.

But Charlie wasn’t going to be rewarded for this misadventure.

Officer Valdez made sure the boy understood the seriousness and importance of 911 before he handed over the goods. He reminded the boy that 911 is always there for him, but only in a real emergency.

“I felt like it was a good time to bring him a Happy Meal, but at the same time educate him,” Valdez told Inside Edition.

Charlie’s mom Kim Skabelund told TODAY Parents:

“Officer Valdez was really sweet and went over the rules with Charlie about when you’re supposed to call 911. He explained how if he’s busy bringing Happy Meals to kids, he can’t help people who really need him. He couldn’t have been nicer.”

She snapped a few photos of the two together to post to Facebook with the sweet story (and good lesson/reminder) and was also surprised to find that the Happy Meal order Charlie placed during one of his calls was for a burger with ketchup.

“That’s what Jadyn gets. Charlie only eats the chicken nuggets,” she said. “He’s always looking out for Jadyn.”

We’re not sure who ended up eating the Happy Meal, but we do know that Charlie got off pretty easy.

And while this all worked out for the best, this is a sweet story precisely because it’s so uncommon. Needless to say, you can not expect your local police department to respond in the same manner.

But we’re giving a big thumbs up to the Mesa Police Department for their thoughtful response.

Be sure to scroll down to see the department’s Facebook post and Charlie and his mom’s interviews with Inside Edition.

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Source: Inside Edition via YouTube, TODAY, Good News Network