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.
Later that afternoon, Simon came back home carrying lots of packages in hand. “What is all this?” she asked but ignored her question as he grabbed a shovel readying himself outside their trailer.
Annie watched amazed as Simon began digging up dirt outside; creating beds then tearing open packets he’d brought earlier!
“What are you doing?” Annie questioned him nervously? “Are those seeds? Do we even have time? What is going on?”
The boy smiled brightly saying once finished spreading seeds: “Mom if we plant today then we can harvest tomorrow!”
Annie didn’t get what he meant at first but over weeks watched as simon worked hard on his garden.
He watered it daily pulling weeds while thrilled seeing fresh sprouts breaking through wet soil!
Soon enough their yard transformed from bare ground into lush herbs & plants! At first thought they were just for home use till simon stopped her picking tomatoes saying:
“Mom we’re not allowed nibble our own produce…I’m selling these at my stall…and leftovers should help us grow big!” leaving annie astonished!
Simon’s fresh veggies quickly became popular healthy lunch options at home using natural insecticides making everything sell out fast after being displayed!
As time passed by simon made more money than expected realizing garden too small so expanded growing fruits exotic flowers along with veggies too!
With extra income coming in they moved near rented place close by where annie quit job helping son work field fueling determination even further together selling nutritious food attracting town attention!
But success didn’t come without competition from wealthy farmer named Alex.
Alex couldn’t handle seeing young boy succeed unexpectedly wanting meet him learn tricks beat race fame.
One day Alex visited simon’s garden shocked by its beauty inhaling deeply expecting chemicals yet found none instead!
“I’m surprised! How do grow such healthy produce without chemical pesticides?” curiously asked Alex?
Simon grinned replying: “We humans survive eating food not poison why feed poor plants toxins when natural alternatives exist keep pests away?!”
Alex felt hit hard realizing talent intelligence within young simon regretted hating without knowing abilities choosing join forces instead offering partnership working farm together growing nice produce thoughts?
Simon couldn’t believe ears rushing tell mom news seeking advice unaware impact decision would bring shortly!
After long talks annie agreed let simon work alongside alex balancing school gardening man’s farm tending small plot grateful always nearby trailer still thriving efforts proved successful quickly selling locally exporting neighboring states too!
Two years later simon saved large sum eager fulfill mother’s dream!
With alex’s help built big house where old trailer stood handing keys over joyfully presenting them back mom finally understanding wish fulfilled right there moment realized became queen palace sobbing tears happiness embracing son tightly
“Oh my dear…” cried annie.” You should enjoy childhood yet sacrificed fun friendship just see smile love ya!”
“Oh come on mom I’ll do anything,” replied simon laughing again running freely childhood never gone always little boy!”
Even though grew wealthy remained thankful small garden led prosperity continuing pick fresh foods never sold again
“…because know mom need stay fit taste fruits labor end day won’t sell eat!” chuckled
While keeping head high newfound success rumors spread expanding business another state good luck
