I called Leo outside. He stared at the lawn, his mouth open.
“Mom, what is this?”
“I don’t know, baby.”
We stood there for a long moment. Then I bent down and picked up box number one.
The Boxes (What Was Inside)
I opened the first box. Inside was a handwritten note and a single item.
The note said: “For the boy who gave without expecting anything in return. This is for you.”
The item was a small wooden train. Hand-carved. Beautiful. The kind you’d find at a craft fair
for fifty dollars.
I opened box number two. Another note: “Kindness is never wasted. It only multiplies.” Inside was a silver coin.
Box three: “The world needs more people like your son.” A leather bookmark stamped with a tree.
Box four: “He reminded me that goodness still exists.” A jar of honey from a local farm.
Box five: “I’ve been angry for years. Your son made me want to be better.” A small potted succulent.
Box six: “Please tell him his umbrella kept my baby dry.” A baby blanket, hand-stitched.
