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Tom,
Julian and Dan were fast friends. They went to the same school and were
neighbors too. One day, they decided to go for a walk near the river side. They
took Dan’s red ball to play with. They played for a long time. When they got
tired, they sat down at the river’s edge to rest. They watched river boats go to
and fro. “I want to go on a boat one day to the other side of the river,” said
Julian. “We will go with you. I will borrow my dad’s fishing rod,” said the
other two.
They played for some more time
then sat down under the shade of a big tree to rest. “I am hungry Tom. Did you
get something to eat?” asked his two friends. “Well Martha made me a few
sandwiches. Didn’t you guys get any grub?” “Sure I have chocolate cake my mom
made yesterday and some lemonade.” spoke Julian. “I only had time to grab some
grapes and oranges,” Dan laughed.
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The boys had just taken their
first bite, when they heard a sobbing sound coming from the other side of some
bushes. Dan ran towards the sound to see who it was. “Hey look! Who is here,” he
exclaimed with surprise. Julian went to him and saw a boy of about ten. He was
in rags and his eyes were full of tears. “What’s happened to you,” questioned
Tom, joining his friends. “What’s your name?” asked Dan.
“My name is Sam. I live with my mom on the other side of the river. I asked a
boatman to give me a lift to this side of the river. I have come in search of
work. My mom is sick and we have nothing to eat. I want to earn some money and
give my mom food and medicines.” said the boy in a sad voice.
“Did no one give you a job that
side of the river,” asked Julian with surprise.
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“The people who live there
are very stuck up and don’t care for anyone. Most of them are rich folks
with big houses. My mom used to work as a companion to one of the rich old
ladies, but she has not been keeping well, so had to give up her job. No one
was willing to help me, so I thought I should try to get some work this side
of the river,” spoke the boy wiping his eyes.
“Here, take this food and
lemonade and eat it while we tell you what to do”, spoke Tom. The boy
gobbled the sandwiches in no time, drinking the lemonade thirstily. It
seemed he had not eaten proper food for quite some time. |
“Well, you can help my dad doing
odd jobs in the garage,” said Dan. “My brother needs someone to help in the
garden. He is a gardener and has his own farm near by,” spoke Julian excitedly.
“My dad has a grocery store. He will appreciate some help I’m sure,” said Tom.
“Thank you for your food. Can I start work from today?” asked the boy
enthusiastically.
“Well come with us and we will see what we can do,” chorused the friends.
When each of the friends talked
to their dads, it was decided that Sam would help all three families one week at
a time and would get his wages at the end of each week. He started work at Dan’s
father’s garage from that day. His new employer gave him some advance with which
Sam bought some food and medicines for his mother. He thanked all the three
friends and promising to come the next day went back to the other side of the
river with the same boatman who had brought him. He was promised a lift by the
kind old boatman and Sam being a good boy helped the boatman clean his boat
every day.
Thus the days passed happily for
everyone around.
Contributing Story Teller:
Amita
enjoys writing all kinds of short stories, especially Children
Stories.
amita17149@hotmail.com
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