The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: GENEROUS (10/31/19)
Cooper was only a kid, my precious grandson, but he had a heart of an old millionaire, trying to distribute his wealth before he died.

“Mimi, hold out your hand. I’ve got something for you.”

I never knew what it would be. This time it was a tiny pebble, a white one with silvery flecks throughout it. “Thank you. I love it!” I didn’t know what I’d do with a rock, but I put it in my pocket. Over the few years that he’d been part of my life, he was always generous. He would share his crackers with me and offer me a sip from his bottle. He never grabbed toys from other children, but often handed them the one in his hand. My heart would break when another toddler would snatch something from him. The expression on his face wasn’t anger but painful confusion, as if he couldn’t understand why someone would do that.

As Cooper grew, his gifts became an expression of how he saw the world. I never knew what his gift might be. He’d hand me a leaf or a stick or bug. I’d often have to shake out my clothes before sending them through the wash. I was glad he never handed me a snake or spider.

One day, on our way to the park, we walked past a house with character, one with bay windows and curly decorations beneath the eaves. A porch wrapped around three sides, and a trellis of roses led to a backyard garden, complete with glider swing and goldfish pond. As we stood on the sidewalk, leaning against the white picket fence, Cooper slipped his hand in mine.

“Mimi, if I had a hundred hundred dollars, I’d buy you a house like that.”

I smiled and squeezed his little fingers. “Thanks, Buddy. I’d like that.”

As he matured, he began to notice a person’s wishes and desires. He’d offer to buy them a new car, a trip to Hawaii, or a big banana split at a local ice cream shop. He knew, and we knew, that he’d probably never be able to give all that he promised, but the thought was so sweet we took it with a heart of gratefulness.

Cooper also had a knack for reusing scrap materials. He hated for anyone to throw away a cereal box or an old incomplete puzzle. He would often bring home an empty paper towel roll from school. He’d spend hours building dioramas with only paper and tape.

One summer, he spent hours building an army tank from a big cardboard box, a wrapping paper tube, and other odds and ends. Then to our surprise, he gave it to the next door neighbor, a cute girl. She politely thanked him, but looked to her mom with a questioning look that said. What will I do with this? Poor Cooper. He had a good heart.

One afternoon, his parents had to leave quickly for a doctor appointment. He didn’t have time to put his bike in the garage, as usual. When they finally arrived home that night, his bike was gone. All the wishing and dreaming in the world wouldn’t produce a new bike. Neither he nor his parents had enough money for one right then. Poor Cooper.

The word spread around the neighborhood faster than a bad cold, “Cooper’s bike was stolen.” No one could believe it happened to him, to Cooper, the most generous boy they knew. More whispers passed from friend to friend, mothers to teacher, mailman to grocer. Somehow, sometime, not just one, but three new bikes appeared at Cooper’s door.

Being Cooper, he found two other kids who needed a bike too.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
This article has been read 461 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Barbara Culler 
11/08/19
He sounds like an amazing person! I was concerned that you would admit that his life ended early, as it often happens to such special people. What a blessing he is.
Laurie Glass 
11/08/19
I enjoyed this story. We need more Coopers in this world. What a sweet ending. Well done.
Verna Cole Mitchell 
11/09/19
Lovely story of a beautiful little boy. I loved it.
Debra Brand 
11/09/19
Lovely story.
Allison Egley 
11/12/19
Awww. This is so sweet.

Personally, I felt the ending was a bit abrupt. It was a good ending, and it fit, but it was kind of a hard stop for me. Maybe adding some quotes from Cooper earlier on (for example, instead of telling us he wanted to give people a cruise, have Cooper tell us) and then you could end it with something like, When Cooper saw the bikes, he was overwhelmed. "Wow. Three bikes? That one for me, and one for two other people. I wonder who took my bike? Maybe he has a brother who needs a bike too!" Or something like that.

Great job telling Cooper's story.