A Penny Saved
Posted by mike on June 13th, 2008
As we were getting my son ready for bed a couple of nights ago, he excitedly told me ”Daddy, I found a penny today! I put it on your placemat at the table. It’s for Father’s Day… you can buy yourself something with it.” In my haste, I thanked him and said that was very nice, and that I appreciated it. To myself, I was quietly wondering what I would do with another penny.
I didn’t give it much more thought until later, when I found the penny exactly where he said he had placed it. It was a nice bright cent, its copper flashing in ways that attract the eyes of little children. An untold number of grown-ups had probably walked over and around the penny that day without picking it up, it’s value to them not worth the effort of stooping to retrieve it. But for my son, a penny is worth more than it’s face value. It’s a ride on the electric horse at the grocery. Or it’s a little extra rattle in his piggy bank. I often give the kids pennies from my pocket change, and it makes their faces glow with anticipation and the thoughts of the treasures for which they are saving. My wife and I have tried to teach our kids the value of saving, giving, and spending, and the kids have taken it to heart. I imagine his mind raced with possibilities when he found it. Eventually, he decided to give it to me.
As I stood there looking at the penny in my hand, the magnitude of his gesture struck me. My eyes watered. I realized that while he would probably give me something that may have more value to me on Father’s Day, at the moment he had given me something that was of value to him. He had given, freely. He had been thoughtful, openly. And perhaps that simple gesture was the most valuable thing of all. The penny may never amount to much, but I feel certain my son will. It was the perfect Father’s Day gift. =)
June 13th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
Great story and well written!
June 14th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Aunt Joy got a tear in her eye!
That short story deserves to be published. Well written!