David had always enjoyed watching the children from his window. He found their laughter and energy infectious, and it brightened up his day to see them scampering off to school each morning. But this morning, something caught his eye.

A little girl, about nine years old, was walking behind the other children, several feet away from the group. She looked sad, her clothes old and tattered, and her pace was slow. David felt a pang of sympathy for her. He wondered why she was walking alone and if the other children had excluded her.

As the other children rushed by, laughing and joking, the little girl stopped beside the book box that David had built. Earlier that morning he had filled it with children’s books, hoping to encourage the kids to read. The other children ignored it, but the little girl hesitated, looking at the books with interest.

David watched as she shyly removed a children’s picture book from the box and held it close to her chest. She looked around nervously, as if afraid that someone would catch her taking the book. Then, with a quick glance back at David’s house, she hurried on her way to the school bus stop.

David felt a lump form in his throat. He knew what it was like to be the odd one out, to feel excluded and alone. He wanted to help the little girl in some way, but he wasn’t sure how. As he watched her disappear around the corner, he made a decision.

That next day, David went to the local thrift store. He bought a bag full of children’s clothes and shoes, all in good condition. He then went home and found his late wife’s, most cherished children’s books, ones he had been, up to that point, reluctant to put in the book box. He had a plan. When the little girl walked by his house that afternoon, David was waiting for her. He stepped out onto the porch and called out to her. She looked up, startled, but didn’t run away.

“Hi there,” David said with a smile. “I noticed you like to read. Would you like some more books?”

The little girl looked at him suspiciously. “Why?” she asked.

David hesitated, unsure of how to answer. Then he decided to be honest. “I saw you yesterday, taking a book from the box. And I just wanted to help you out. You looked sad, and I thought maybe I could make things a little better for you.”

The little girl looked at David for a long moment. Then she slowly nodded her head. David handed her the bag of clothes and the stack of books. She looked at them with wonder, then looked up at David again.

“Thank you,” she said softly.

David smiled. “You’re welcome. And if you ever need anything else, just let me know. I’m right here.”

The little girl smiled back, then turned and walked away, her pace a little lighter than before. David watched her go, feeling a sense of warmth and happiness that he hadn’t felt in a long time. He had made a connection with someone who needed a little kindness, and it had made all the difference.

David’s Book Box

David watched the children from his window,

Their laughter and energy, infectious, aglow,

Brightening up his day, their innocence a show,

As they scampered off to school, a happy flow.

But this morning, something caught his eye,

A little girl, walking several feet behind, shy,

Sad, her clothes old, mismatched, and tattered,

David felt a pang of sympathy, heart shattered.

As other children passed by, oblivious,

The little girl stopped at the book box, curious,

David had built it, filled with children’s books,

Hoping to inspire reading, a step, he took.

The little girl hesitated, glanced around,

Nervously removed a book, then left the ground,

David watched her walk away, feeling a lump,

In his throat, memories of exclusion, the thump.

The next day, David went to the thrift store,

Bought a bag of children’s clothes and much more,

His wife’s cherished books, he put in the pile,

A plan in his mind, he walked with a smile.

He waited for the little girl to pass by,

Stepped out onto the porch, and gave a try,

“Hi there,” David said, with a smile on his face,

“I noticed you like to read, more books to embrace?”

The little girl looked at him suspiciously, why?

David hesitated, then said with a sigh,

“I saw you taking a book from the box yesterday,

And I thought maybe I could help, in some way.”

The little girl looked at David, then nodded slowly,

David handed her the bag of clothes and books wholly,

“Thank you,” she said softly, a smile forming,

David felt warm, a connection, heartwarming.

“You’re welcome,” David said, with a grin,

“And if you need anything else, let me know within,”

The little girl smiled back, her pace a little lighter,

David watched her go, feeling a sense of brightness, brighter.

From that day on, the little girl would stop by,

To say hello, with a smile, and David would comply,

A kind gesture, a little attention, a small action,

Can bring a difference, a sense of satisfaction.

David’s book box became a place of joy,

For the little girl, a feeling to deploy,

of friendship, kindness, and generosity,

A connection built, with love and sincerity.