David had been saving up for seven months to buy the sneakers he always wanted. His mom couldn’t buy them for him because she worked hard to take care of him and his two sisters. One day, his piggy bank was finally full, and he had enough to buy the shoes. On the bus ride home from school, he excitedly talked about it with his friend Guillermo. But when the bus hit a pothole, one of Guillermo’s shoes fell off and landed on the floor. David was shocked when he saw the worn-out shoe—it had holes in the soles, the canvas was falling apart, and there were no laces.
David, a 12-year-old football player with a lot of talent, always dreamed of joining the national team. He practiced hard and was determined to make his dream come true. He also dreamed of owning a pair of spiked shoes.
Sometimes, while sitting by the window on the school bus, he would imagine winning a big championship and thanking his mom for everything she had done for him. “That would be such a great speech,” he would say to himself.
For months, David had been saving up for a new pair of sneakers that he really wanted. Every day, he sold lemonade at a stand he had built himself and helped his neighbors with errands to save money, not wanting to ask his mom for help since she was already busy taking care of him and his twin sisters.
David went to the shoe store and told the owner that he had been saving for the shoes. “Young man, your shoes will be here waiting,” Mr. Manning said with a smile.
One day, on his way to school, a boy named Guillermo asked if he could sit next to David. “Of course,” David said.
Guillermo looked up to David. He wanted to be as popular as David was among their schoolmates.
That day, Guillermo told David that he liked his shoes, but David explained that they were already old and that he was saving up for a brand new pair.
Guillermo felt embarrassed and quickly hid his feet under the seat. The truth was, his own shoes were old and worn out, not David’s.
In the days that followed, David and Guillermo became good friends. One day, David told Guillermo, “Guillermo, I finally did it. My piggy bank is full. I’m getting my dream shoes today.”
Guillermo was really happy for David. As they were talking, the bus suddenly bounced over a pothole, and one of Guillermo’s shoes fell off onto the bus floor.
David was shocked when he saw the shoe. It had a hole in the sole. He felt bad for his friend and a little embarrassed because he had been talking so much about his new shoes, while Guillermo’s shoes were old, the canvas was falling apart, and there were no laces.
The next day, David asked Guillermo to come with him to the store.
When they walked into the store, Mr. Manning smiled at David and said, “Congratulations, young man! You worked hard and saved your own money for the shoes. They’re ready for you in a box.”
David nodded but then said, “Mr. Manning, I want the shoes, but in a smaller size, please.”
Mr. Manning looked confused. “But these are your size,” he said.
David pointed to Guillermo and replied, “I want them in his size.”
Guillermo was shocked. “No, David, you don’t have to…”
But David cut him off. “Guillermo, you’re a great friend. You say I’m your idol and your hero. Please, let me do this for you.”
Mr. Manning had always known David was special, but this act of kindness amazed him. He took out a pair of shoes in Guillermo’s size and handed them over.
The two friends were happy as they walked home.
When David got home, his mom asked, “Did you get the shoes?”
Looking down at the floor, afraid she might scold him, he answered quietly, “Mom, I bought them for my friend Guillermo. His shoes were really old, and I thought he needed them more than I did.”
His mom smiled and hugged him. “Oh, son, you have such a kind heart. I’m so proud of you.”
As they talked about Guillermo, a truck suddenly pulled up in front of their house.
It was Mr. Manning. He brought plenty of shoes for David, his sister, and his friend.
“I know how much you wanted those spiked sneakers. I’ve watched you work so hard, selling lemonade and delivering newspapers. You helped a friend when he needed it most, and I wanted to do something special for you.”
That day, David realized that even the smallest act of kindness can make a big difference.
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