A picture on the internet has caught the public's attention in China.

The picture depicts a thief who was bound to a tree for several days after he was caught stealing from a construction site.

Another character in the picture is a little girl who went to the thief to give him water and food.

Many viewers say they have been deeply touched by the girl's kindness.

The Beijing Youth published an article, saying that this picture reflects a striking contrast between the girl's behaviour and the irresponsible behaviour of others.

The author says it also reflects a lack of legal consciousness by the people who bound the thief and left him for days.

The article says those who passed by and even the photographer himself should have called the police, rather than just seeing the thief bound there and doing nothing.