A young boy pleaded with his mother to give him the last $13 she had saved for groceries so he could launch a business. Months later, he drove her to their rundown trailer and handed her the keys to their new $2 million house.
Encouraging kids to work hard with determination helps them become responsible adults. Annie Byrne, a mother from Atlanta, believed in and taught her son Simon.
“Who cares if my son and I live in an old rusty trailer now? One day, he will take me to a palace and make me its queen,” dreamed the struggling widow who worked as a janitor.
One day, Annie’s prayers were answered when Simon gave her the keys to their new home. But she had no idea how much effort it took for him to make that dream come true…
“Mom, when are we moving into a nice house?” 13-year-old Simon asked. “It’s getting cold here and stuffy inside.”
“…just give me that money and you won’t regret it…I’m not asking for more than what you have,” begged the boy.
Annie didn’t know how to respond right away. She understood it wouldn’t happen soon since she barely had enough money saved up for food or education while Simon was on break.
“Very soon…We will move from here very soon,” she said tearfully. “Now close your eyes and go sleep.”
But Annie couldn’t rest well; she knew “very soon” might never arrive. She spent the night with her child feeling heavy-hearted about their struggles.
The next morning, Simon’s friends invited him out but he turned them down because he couldn’t be happy thinking about his mom’s troubles.
He walked alone until he saw one of his friends putting cash into a box behind his lemonade stand.
“Wow! That’s amazing!” Simon shouted. He wanted to set up his own stand but only had a quarter in his pocket. Disappointed, he walked away thinking of other ways to change things around.
“I’ve got an idea!” He exclaimed excitedly. “Why didn’t I think of this before?” He rushed home panting and asked his mom for money.
“But son, I don’t have much left! Only $13 which I need for bread & eggs! It’s all I have until next week,” Annie replied sadly.
Simon was persistent: “Mom please…just give me that cash & you won’t regret it…I’m not asking for anything more than what you have.”
Annie hesitated but curious tossed the $13 into Simon’s hands waiting eagerly what he’d do next.