The Young Helper and the Old Soldier
The Young Helper and the Old Soldier
This is a heartwarming fable about kindness and helping others. A young woman helps an elderly war veteran, showing how small acts of kindness can create ripples of goodness in a community. Perfect for beginner English learners.
Once upon a time, in a small town, there lived an old soldier named Henry.
Once upon a time, in a small town, there lived an old soldier named Henry.
Henry was 91 years old.
Henry was 91 years old.
He had served his country many years ago when he was young and strong.
He had served his country many years ago when he was young and strong.
Now he was old and poor.
Now he was old and poor.
Henry had to sell his treasures to buy food.
Henry had to sell his treasures to buy food.
He went to a pawn shop with his old watch.
He went to a pawn shop with his old watch.
The watch was special.
The watch was special.
His father had given it to him before he went to war.
His father had given it to him before he went to war.
At the pawn shop, a young worker named Sarah saw Henry.
At the pawn shop, a young worker named Sarah saw Henry.
She noticed his shaking hands and sad eyes.
She noticed his shaking hands and sad eyes.
She saw the old medals on his jacket.
She saw the old medals on his jacket.
"This watch is very special to you," Sarah said kindly.
"This watch is very special to you," Sarah said kindly.
"Yes," Henry said with a quiet voice.
"Yes," Henry said with a quiet voice.
"But I need money for food and medicine."
"But I need money for food and medicine."
Sarah's heart felt heavy.
Sarah's heart felt heavy.
She gave Henry money for the watch, but she had an idea.
She gave Henry money for the watch, but she had an idea.
That night, Sarah went home and used her computer.
That night, Sarah went home and used her computer.
She wrote Henry's story on the internet.
She wrote Henry's story on the internet.
She asked people to help the old soldier who had helped his country.
She asked people to help the old soldier who had helped his country.
"This brave man gave his youth to protect us," she wrote.
"This brave man gave his youth to protect us," she wrote.
"Now he needs our help."
"Now he needs our help."
Many people read Sarah's words.
Many people read Sarah's words.
They remembered their own grandfathers and fathers who were soldiers.
They remembered their own grandfathers and fathers who were soldiers.
Money came from everywhere - from rich people and poor people, from young people and old people.
Money came from everywhere - from rich people and poor people, from young people and old people.
In one week, Sarah had enough money to help Henry for many months.
In one week, Sarah had enough money to help Henry for many months.
She also bought back his special watch.
She also bought back his special watch.
When Sarah brought the money and the watch to Henry, he began to cry.
When Sarah brought the money and the watch to Henry, he began to cry.
"Why did you help me?"
"Why did you help me?"
he asked.
he asked.
"Because kindness is like a circle," Sarah said.
"Because kindness is like a circle," Sarah said.
"You helped your country.
"You helped your country.
I help you.
I help you.
Others help me.
Others help me.
The circle never ends."
The circle never ends."
From that day, Henry never felt alone.
From that day, Henry never felt alone.
Sarah visited him every week.
Sarah visited him every week.
Other people from the town came to hear his stories about the war.
Other people from the town came to hear his stories about the war.
Moral of the story: Small acts of kindness can grow into great waves of goodness.
Moral of the story: Small acts of kindness can grow into great waves of goodness.
When we help others, we create a circle of kindness that helps everyone.
When we help others, we create a circle of kindness that helps everyone.