Red Marbles
By NanaBear
A stranger came to a small town to visit relativeswho lived across a dusty street from where superlativefruits and vegetables were sold by a man and his wife,truck farmers, who worked hard for the necessities of life.The stranger walked across the road to see what he might buy,and noticed a small unkempt boy, by fresh peas, give a sigh.The farmer asked him how his mother was. He said, 'She's well.'Then asked him if she'd like some peas... and filled up a large pail.The child said, 'I can't pay for these!' The man responded, 'Son,I'll take my pay in marbles.' Then the stranger watched him runoff with all the peas and a huge grin from ear to ear.The farmer's wife, who stood close by, gave him a look so dear.The minutes passed and then the boy returned with marbles bright,in colors of the rainbow... except red, and got a fright,because the farmer said, 'I only want red marbles, son.'The child almost began to cry, but he still wasn't done.'I'll tell you what, you pay me for those peas when you have founda big red marble - only red - until then, you are bound.'The boy agreed, relieved the farmer gave him a sure wayto, at some future time, fulfill his promise that he'd pay.The stranger watched the farmer's wife hold back her tears of joyfor what her husband always did for several needy boys.She said, 'He always asks for red, because there aren't any,and so he helps those whom he can... without a single penny.'As years flew by, the stranger came the night the farmer died.His relatives asked him to come to view him... and he criedto see the hall which overflowed with those who'd loved the manwho never took a penny from that boy, as was his plan.Ahead of him stood three young men, all tall, clean-dressed, and smart,who hugged the farmer's widow lovingly with all their heart.Then, at the coffin, clasped the hand of that kind farmer there,and turned with tear-stained cheeks,which showed the stranger of their care.He shook the woman's hand, reminded her of when they'd met,and asked about the three young men in line - as if a 'set'.She smiled and led him to the coffin. Not a word was said.But when she raised her husband's hand, he saw three marbles... red! Written February 27th, 2001 © on Aug 26 2001 04:15 PM PST 0 • 10
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"A stranger came to a small town to visit relativeswho lived across a dusty street from where superlativefruits and vegetables were sold by a man and his wife,truck farmers, who worked hard for the necessities of life.The stranger walked across the road to see what he might buy,and noticed a small unkempt boy, by fresh peas, give a sigh.The farmer asked him how his mother was. He said, 'She's well.'Then asked him if she'd like some peas... and filled up a large pail.The child said, 'I can't pay for these!' The man responded, 'Son,I'll take my pay in marbles.' Then the stranger watched him runoff with all the peas and a huge grin from ear to ear.The farmer's wife, who stood close by, gave him a look so dear.The minutes passed and then the boy returned with marbles bright,in colors of the rainbow... except red, and got a fright,because the farmer said, 'I only want red marbles, son.'The child almost began to cry, but he still wasn't done.'I'll tell you what, you pay me for those peas when you have founda big red marble - only red - until then, you are bound.'The boy agreed, relieved the farmer gave him a sure wayto, at some future time, fulfill his promise that he'd pay.The stranger watched the farmer's wife hold back her tears of joyfor what her husband always did for several needy boys.She said, 'He always asks for red, because there aren't any,and so he helps those whom he can... without a single penny.'As years flew by, the stranger came the night the farmer died.His relatives asked him to come to view him... and he criedto see the hall which overflowed with those who'd loved the manwho never took a penny from that boy, as was his plan.Ahead of him stood three young men, all tall, clean-dressed, and smart,who hugged the farmer's widow lovingly with all their heart.Then, at the coffin, clasped the hand of that kind farmer there,and turned with tear-stained cheeks,which showed the stranger of their care.He shook the woman's hand, reminded her of when they'd met,and asked about the three young men in line - as if a 'set'.She smiled and led him to the coffin. Not a word was said.But when she raised her husband's hand, he saw three marbles... red!..."