THE RED BALLOON

It's December, one snowiest month in every year. A boy was said to be dying by the doctor because of a deadly disease he suffered. He only had 2 days left to survive, and he was willing to spend the 2 days to do something for others. He checked his piggy bank, there were only a few cents in it. He checked his closet; his mom already donated all of his old clothes a week ago. He checked his drawers, there are many crayons, papers, and three red balloons. What can I do with these? He thought. Suddenly, as fast as a lightning at a stormy day, he got an idea. He drew a big, nice smile on each paper, put it inside of the balloon, pumped them, and freed them to the air.

~

And old lady sat on her old couch, all alone and lonely. She stared at the window, seeing the outside world where the children plays and adults that are having gathering. Suddenly, a shiny red balloon appeared and landed in front of the old lady's window. She was surprised as she opened her window and picked the balloon. She popped it and opened the folded paper curiously. A huge colorful smile decorated the paper and enlighten the whole room in an instant. The smile made this old lady remembered her beloved husband and how loving he was, and how his husband loves her chicken pie so much. She began to cook two lovely and warm large dishes of it, took a pink sweater that was a gift from her husband, and went outside to the group of playing children and the adults. Everyone smiled welcomed her to the gathering, which was a pleasant surprise for the old lady. She was no longer lonely.

~

A young man was driving his car to work. He missed his family; he went far away from home to find a job as a father and a husband. He kept driving until he saw a red balloon fell on the street. He stopped and popped the balloon to see a message inside of it. A colorful drawing of a huge smile appeared on the paper, amazed the man's eyes. He felt warmth and content, and saw a shivering beggar sat on the street not far away from him. He took off his jacket and gave it to the beggar. Besides, I already have too many jackets in the closet, the man thought as he walked away, shivering yet happy.

~

A woman was just having a fight with her best friend when she was going to work and found a strange red object gently hit the frozen bushes. She came closer to find that it's a red balloon with a message inside of it. She pulled the message and found a large drawing of a smile, making her realized how much her best friend meant to her, and how ridiculous the fight she just had. She ran to her house, knock the door, and apologize. Her best friend, which is a nurse, smiled.

~

A nurse checked the report given by the doctor of the dying boy, surprised by the result. She came to the boy's loving mother to tell the news. The nurse, which was a best friend of the woman who received the red balloon, explained in such excitement, having no idea that the boy was overheard the whole conversation behind his door. He was getting better and better, he could survive from the deadly illness. The boy smiled.

*Namaste*