A Coin from a Child
A tender story about a single coin and a quiet kindness
The next afternoon, the above the bakery door rang softly.
A small girl came in slowly while the rain was falling outside.
Mr. Wells was wiping the counter when he looked up and saw her.
Her name was Mia, and she lived a few streets away.
She was holding a in her wet hand.
"How much bread can I buy with this?" she asked in a small voice.
Mr. Wells looked at the , and then he looked at her eyes.
She explained that she wanted to buy something for her mother.
Her mother, Mrs. Carter, worked all day and was often too to cook.
Mia was trying to bring her something warm to eat.
The was not enough to buy even the smallest loaf.
Mr. Wells was quiet for a moment while he thought about what to do.
Then he walked to the window and picked up the bread that waits.
He wrapped it carefully in soft paper and placed it in her hands.
"This one is special," he said .
"Please take it to your mother."
Mia looked up at him with wide, eyes.
"But why does this bread wait?" she asked. "What is it waiting for?"
Mr. Wells opened his mouth to answer, but no words came out.
He had not spoken about the promise since Marie had died.
He simply smiled and closed the door softly behind her.
After the girl had gone, he stood alone in the quiet shop.
He picked up a small of Marie from the shelf and looked at it for a long time.
"Not yet, my love," he whispered.
"It is not the right time yet."