I wrote a children’s story called “A Stand of Kindness”. It’s about a little boy that started a lemonade stand to help pay for a baseball glove. He found out his neighbor had an illness recently and could not afford to pay for a trip to see his daughter and grandchildren. The little boy heard his Pastor say at church that it is better to give than to receive so he gave the money he earned to his neighbor. I hope you enjoy the story!

“A Stand of Kindness”

There was a little boy named Billy who was 7 years old. Billy lived in a small town in the state of North Carolina. Billy had a neighbor named Mr. Brody. Billy liked Mr. Brody because he was very nice.

It was the start of Billy’s summer vacation. Billy just finished the first grade and he was a big boy now. He was glad he had the whole summer off.

Billy really wanted to get a baseball glove but his parent’s didn’t have enough money. Billy didn’t mind because he knew his parent’s loved him and he was very happy!

Billy had an older brother name Ned, who had a lemonade stand one summer and he made a whole 40 dollars. That gave Billy an idea, “I know how to make lemonade, Billy said to himself.” I can do what Ned did and make enough money to buy a baseball glove!” Billy was very excited about his idea. The next day Billy and his mom went to the store and bought all the things he needed to make lemonade. It cost 3 dollars for everything. Billy’s mom said, “You can pay me back when you earn the money from the lemonade stand.” Billy loved his mom very much. She always prayed with him before bed and helped him memorize Bible verses for his Sunday School class.

When Billy came home, he made a whole pitcher of lemonade. He then made a sign that read, “Fresh lemonade, only 50 cents per glass”. Billy’s mom helped him put a table by the end of the driveway. He was now ready for business.
Billy lived right by a baseball field and knew many people would walk by his lemonade stand. Just then Mr. Brody, Billy’s neighbor, came out of his house and walked to the lemonade stand. “Hi Billy, Mr. Brody said. Hi Mr. Brody, Billy said with a smile. I have my very own lemonade stand and I am going to buy a baseball glove with the money I make.” “Well, that sounds nice, Mr. Brody said. Let me try some of this lemonade you made.” Billy poured some lemonade in a glass for Mr. Brody and Mr. Brody gave him 50 cents. “Wow! Billy said as Mr. Brody handed him the 50 cents. This is going to be a great summer.”

It was the middle of June when Billy started the lemonade stand. He sat by the driveway twice a week. He was able to buy the ingredients for the lemonade from the money he made and because his dad gave him 2 dollars a week for allowance. Billy really loved his dad. He wanted to be just like him when he grew up. His dad always prayed in front of church and would read Bible stories to him at night or just before his bedtime prayer.

It was nearing the end of summer vacation and Billy had saved $50 dollars from the money he earned at his lemonade stand. He only had a few weeks left until school started.

It was a hot August day when Billy saw Mr. Brody. He hadn’t seen Mr. Brody for a long time. Billy was happy to see Mr. Brody this day. He wanted to tell him about how much money he earned. “Hi Mr. Brody, Billy said with a huge smile! I haven’t seen you in a long time.” I have been ill, Billy, Mr. Brody said. I haven’t been outside much this summer.” “Oh, Billy said. I hope you feel okay now.” I will be fine Billy, Mr. Brody said.” I just spent all my money on doctor’s bills and I can’t visit my daughter and grandchildren in Chicago so I am a little down.”
“Enough about my problems Billy, how is your lemonade stand doing, Mr. Brody said.” “I earned a whole 50 dollars Billy said. I can buy a baseball glove and have some left over to give to God.”

“That’s great Billy Mr. Brody said. How about giving me a glass of your wonderful lemonade.” Billy poured Mr. Brody a glass of lemonade. Mr. Brody was ready to hand Billy 50 cents but Billy said, “This glass is on me. You need to save your money so you can visit your daughter and grandchildren.” Mr. Brody was silent for a few seconds. He was touched by Billy’s generosity. “Thank you Billy, Mr. Brody said. You are a very nice boy and I hope you will be able to buy a really nice baseball glove.”

That evening Billy’s dad told him about Mr. Brody’s illness. Billy found out that Mr. Brody was fine but he had spent his life’s savings for an operation and wasn’t able to visit his daughter and grandchildren. Mr. Brody hadn’t seen his daughter and grandchildren in 3 years and they were not able to visit Mr. Brody because they didn’t have enough money. This made Billy sad.

As Billy was starting to say his evening prayers, he remembered Mr. Brody and asked God to help him. “Please help Mr. Brody Lord, Billy prayed. He really wants to see his daughter and grandchildren. Amen Lord! Billy said as he got into bed.” He was now happy because he knew God would help Mr. Brody.

The next Sunday at church Billy heard his pastor talking about giving. “It is better to give than to receive, he heard his pastor say. God loves a cheerful giver.” “Maybe I can help Mr. Brody after all, Billy thought to himself.” Billy closed his eyes and prayed, “Dear Lord, would it be all right if I didn’t buy the baseball glove. Could I give the money I made from the lemonade stand to Mr. Brody instead?”

When Billy got home from church he told his parents about what he learned at church. He asked them if it was okay to give Mr. Brody the money he earned. Billy’s parents gave him permission to give Mr. Brody the money. Billy’s parents were very proud!

Billy rushed into his room to get the money he made from the lemonade stand and ran over to Mr. Brody’s house. Billy knocked on the door and Mr. Brody answered, wiping his eyes. It looked as if Mr. Brody just woke up. “Hi Billy Mr. Brody said. What can I do for you.” “Wow Billy, you look excited, Mr. Brody added.” Billy was so excited that he could hardly talk. “Well, Billy said with a big grin, I felt sad that you couldn’t see your daughter and grandchildren. I learned in church today that it is better to give than to receive. I also learned that God loves a cheerful giver, that is why I am cheerful! I prayed to God to see if it was all right to give you the money and He didn’t say no. It is a whole 50 dollars and I was hoping you could use it to see your daughter and grandchildren. I really want you to be able to see them. I can buy a baseball glove next year.”

Billy noticed a few tears coming out of the eyes of Mr. Brody. “Oh Mr. Brody, Billy said. I didn’t mean to make you sad.” “I am not sad but very happy Mr. Brody said. These are tears of joy. You are definitely a fine young man Billy.”

Billy didn’t know this but Mr. Brody received some money from the hospital where he had his operation. He was charged too much money and received a refund from the hospital. It was almost enough money to pay for a trip to see his daughter and grandchildren.

You see, Mr. Brody was 50 dollars short. The money Billy gave him was just enough so he could visit his daughter and grandchildren. Just as Billy was about to leave, Mr. Brody yelled to him, “Billy, I am going to tell my daughter and grandchildren about you and what you did for me. I can’t thank you enough.” “You’re welcome Mr. Brody, Billy yelled back.”

As Billy walked into his driveway and towards the front door, he paused and looked towards the sky. It was a bright blue sky with no clouds. He wanted to thank God for what He did for Mr. Brody. “Thank you God, Billy said. You are right God, it is definitely better to give than to receive.”

Copyright © January 2000 Tim Besch. All rights reserved