David always found himself a window seat on the school bus back home. As always, he opened the window wide and let the afternoon breeze brush across his face as he recollected the game he played that day, moment by moment.

“That was unbelievable, what you did on the field today!” one of his mates had said.

“I think we’ve got a national-level player on our hands, guys. Get your autographs while you can!” another player teased David, patting his back almost a bit too hard.

That was the distant dream — playing for his country and creating history, like all his soccer heroes.

David could almost taste it; the sweet air of victory and pride when his team and he held the golden championship trophy and smiled for the photographs.

David would constantly rehearse what he would say for the cameras and the papers at the end of the match. How he rose from humble beginnings. And how he owed his mother everything he had become.

“Excuse me, may I sit here?”

David was so deep in his daydream that he didn’t realize one of his classmates had asked permission to sit next to him.

The boy sat down next to David, hugged his backpack, and started dreaming his own dream. ‘I want to become the best soccer player in the school. Just like David. I can’t believe I’m sitting next to him!’

The boy was a true fan of David’s game and wouldn’t miss a chance to watch him play. In his mind, David was everything he wanted to be. He wanted to play like him, have tons of friends like him, and even wear those fancy soccer shoes David was wearing.

Guillermo was always shy and found it challenging to make friends. One day, the boy finally found the courage to talk to his hero.

“Hi, David! I’m Guillermo. I’m your biggest fan!”

“Oh? Hi, Guillermo! Thank you.”

There was an awkward silence as David went back to daydreaming.

“I…really like your shoes!” Guillermo blurted the first thing that came to his mind.

“These? These are really old, and the soles have already started to come off. You should see the new shoes I’ll be getting…” David’s eyes lit up, thinking about the dreamy pair of sneakers he had been saving up for.

“Well, they’re perfect! They’re neon orange, and they’ve got unbeatable grip…”

It had been seven months since David had been raising money to buy the pair of sneakers he wanted. This was the first time the 12-year-old wanted to buy something for himself. And he wanted to do it without burdening his mother. He knew how hard his mother worked, struggling to provide for him and his two younger twin sisters.

“Mom, you don’t need to contribute. Tracy and Katie have their birthdays coming up soon, and you need to save up to throw a tea party, remember?”

David saved up enough money. He did it with the help of a short paper route every morning and the savings from the lemonade stand he had put up the last vacation. Until one day, his piggy bank was full, and he finally had enough to bring his dream shoes home.

“Guillermo! I did it! I’m going straight to the store after homework this evening and buying the best sneakers in town. In fact, I’ll come and pick you up, and you can accompany me to the shop. It’s going to be the best feeling ever!”

Guillermo felt genuine happiness for his idol. That’s when the bus suddenly jolted over a pothole, and one of Guillermo’s shoes fell off onto the bus floor.

David was taken aback at the sight of the worn-out, blackened shoe. It was a pair of thin, low-quality summer shoes that had seen too many seasons. There were holes in the sole, the canvas was coming apart, and there was no sign of a lace.

Guillermo let the other shoe fall, giving in to the feeling of shame.

David had tears in his eyes when he looked at his friend, hiding his face in his palms, sobbing quietly but uncontrollably. The two boys didn’t know what to say to each other for the rest of the ride.

“Ah, David! Here to pick up your new pair of soccer shoes? I’ve got them packed and ready right here.”

“Hold on, sir. Could you show me a pair of those in a smaller size?” David said, pointing at a pair of comfortable boots.

Always help the needy whenever you can.

The shop owner, Mr. Manning, was confused. “But the ones I packed are your exact size, Dave.”

“Not for me, for my friend here,” Dave replied.

Guillermo couldn’t believe what he had heard. He couldn’t possibly let David do that.

“No, David, I don’t need—”

Mr. Manning heard this exchange between the boys and felt a warmth of love and affection rise in his chest. He knew exactly what to do.

“Woah, this one looks great on you, friend. And it’s the absolute best we’ve got in this store.”

David was finally satisfied with the pair of boots he had bought for his friend. Guillermo’s shame had turned to overwhelm, gratitude, and pure joy over his unexpected gift.

As the boys left the store and cycled away, Mr. Manning signaled his staff. “Listen, there’s something we need to do right away…”

“David! There’s someone at the door for you! He arrived with an entire truck, actually.” David’s mother couldn’t make heads or tails of the strange visitor, either.

David’s mother leaned in with a crease of suspicion sitting on her brow.

“I know how much you wanted those spiked sneakers, and I’ve seen you selling lemonade and delivering newspapers. And today, I saw you let all that desire go, just so you could help a friend who was in deeper need than you were.”

David lowered his head out of shyness, catching a glimpse of the proud look on his mother’s face from the corner of his eye.

“And I think this kind of kindness and friendship ought to be celebrated in this day and age. So come on! Get on the back of this truck and pick up as many pairs of shoes as you’d like. For you, your mother, and the twins… Don’t worry about the money; this is all on me.”

“Hurry, we’ve still got to get to your friend’s house. There are free shoes for him and his family, too!”

What do we learn from this story?

Always help the needy whenever you can. Although David worked hard to buy new sneakers, he used the money to help Guillermo, who was wearing torn shoes.

An act of kindness can be infectious. The shoe store owner noticed David’s kindness. He was inspired by the boy’s actions and decided to help his and his friend’s family.

Share this story with your friends. It might brighten their day and inspire them.

If you enjoyed this story, you might like this one about a boy who received his favorite sneakers from the thrift shop as a gift on his birthday. He noticed an inscription on it and was shocked to learn about its previous owner.

This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life.

Lora strolled through the bustling mall, the festive chaos around her contrasting sharply with the somber weight in her heart. Shoppers chatted and laughed, their carts brimming with holiday treasures.

Twinkling lights lined every window display, reflecting off glossy ornaments and casting a warm glow.

Familiar Christmas carols played over the loudspeakers, their cheerful tunes feeling almost intrusive to her melancholy.

Sandra walked beside her, holding up decorations and chatting animatedly.

“Oh, Lora, look at this one!” she said, picking up a delicate glass ornament shaped like a snowflake. It caught the light, shimmering like it was dusted with frost.

Each one wore the same jolly expression, and their red suits and fluffy white beards were a painful reminder of John. A wave of sadness rolled over her, and she looked away, pretending to study something else.

Sandra noticed the shift in her friend’s demeanor. She put the ornament back on the shelf and touched Lora’s arm gently.

“You’ve been quiet all afternoon. Are you okay?”

Lora sighed, her shoulders slumping.

She’d be so excited to see him, running down the stairs to catch him by the tree. He made it magical for her. But this year…”

Her voice cracked, and she paused to steady herself.

“This year, he’s not here. Kira keeps asking when Father will come, and I don’t have the heart to tell her.”

Sandra gave Lora’s arm a reassuring squeeze. “You haven’t told her yet?”

“No.” Lora shook her head, her voice trembling.

Sandra frowned thoughtfully, her expression a mix of understanding and concern.

“I get it, Lora. I really do. But you know she’ll have to find out someday. You can’t shield her from the truth forever.”

“I know,” Lora whispered, her eyes welling up with tears she fought to keep back.

“But not this Christmas. I just want her to be happy. Even if it’s only for a little while.”

Sandra wrapped an arm around Lora’s shoulders, pulling her into a gentle hug.

“You’re stronger than you think, you know. And you’re not alone in this. We’re here for you.”

Lora nodded, her lips curving into a small, grateful smile.

“Thanks, Sandra. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

For a moment, the weight on her chest felt a little lighter, but the ache for John lingered, sharper than ever against the backdrop of Christmas cheer.

Lora and Kira worked side by side, carefully unpacking the box of Christmas decorations that had been stored away since last year.

The tree, freshly chosen and standing tall in the corner, seemed to glow in the warm light of the room.

“Mommy, look at this one!” Kira squealed, holding up a small, painted ornament shaped like a snowman. “It’s my favorite!”

Lora chuckled softly, taking the ornament and handing Kira a hook.

“You pick the perfect spot for it,” she said, watching as her daughter stretched onto her tiptoes to reach a branch.

She darted back to the box, grabbing handfuls of shiny ornaments and thrusting them toward Lora.

“Hurry, Mommy! We have to make it beautiful for Santa!”

Lora felt her heartache at Kira’s innocent excitement. She smiled and knelt by her daughter, helping her sort through the decorations.

“It’s already beautiful, sweetie. But you’re right. Santa deserves our best effort.”

“Mommy, put the red one there! No, higher! And the shiny one next to it!”

Finally, Kira pulled out the glittery gold star from the bottom of the box. She held it up triumphantly.

“Now, Mommy, the star! Put it on top!”

Lora took the star and climbed a step stool to place it on the highest branch. When she stepped down, she turned to Kira.

“What do you think? Is it perfect?”

Kira stepped back, her hands on her hips as she studied the tree.

Lora froze, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. The warmth she felt moments ago was replaced by a sharp pang of sadness.

“Sweetheart, about Santa…” she began hesitantly.

“I can’t wait to see him!” Kira interrupted, her excitement bubbling over.

“He always eats the cookies I make, and I always catch him by the stairs! He’ll come, right, Mommy?”

Lora bit her lip, her smile faltering. She knelt down and brushed a stray curl from Kira’s forehead.

“Now, let’s add the candy canes.”

How could she explain that John — her husband, Kira’s Santa — wouldn’t be coming this year?

Lora sighed and stood, forcing a smile as she joined Kira by the tree. For now, she decided, she would hold onto this moment of happiness, even if it was bittersweet.

Christmas Eve arrived with a quiet magic filling the house. The string lights cast a soft, golden glow across the living room, reflecting off the ornaments on the Christmas tree.

The air was sweet with the scent of freshly baked cookies, which Kira carefully arranged on a festive plate.

She set it on the hearth, next to a glass of milk, her face glowing with anticipation.

“Now we wait,” Kira whispered, her excitement bubbling over as she grabbed her favorite blanket and snuck behind the staircase. It was her favorite spot for spying on Santa.

Lora stood back, watching her daughter with a mixture of love and guilt. Kira’s absolute belief that Santa would come made the lump in Lora’s throat harder to swallow.

“Kira, sweetheart,” Lora began softly, her voice careful. “Maybe Santa will come later. Why don’t you go to bed and let him surprise you in the morning?”

“No, Mommy!” Kira protested, her little face scrunching with determination. “I always see him when he comes. He has to come.”

Lora felt her resolve falter, tears stinging her eyes. There was no avoiding it now. She gently took Kira’s hand in hers, her own trembling slightly.

“Kira,” she began again, her voice heavy with emotion, “there’s something I need to tell you about Santa and Daddy…”

There, a figure in a red suit knelt down, reaching for a cookie.

“Santa!” Kira squealed, leaping from her hiding spot and flinging herself into his arms. “You came!”

The man in the Santa suit chuckled heartily, his belly shaking. “Oh, you caught me again, little one! Ho ho ho!” he said, his voice rich and warm.

Lora stared, her heart pounding as Sandra appeared in the doorway wearing an elf costume, her face lit with a mischievous grin.

Kira’s laughter rang through the living room, filling the space with a joy Lora hadn’t heard in what felt like forever.

Kira tugged on Santa’s red sleeve, her excitement bubbling over.

“Did you like the cookies? I helped Mommy bake them!” she said proudly.

Santa, Rick in disguise, chuckled warmly and nodded.

“They’re the best cookies I’ve had all year! You must be quite the baker, little one,” he said, his deep voice perfectly mimicking the jolly character.

“And have you been a good girl this year?”

“Oh, yes! The best!” Kira exclaimed, nodding vigorously. She bounced on her toes, her wide eyes filled with wonder.

“Santa, did you see our tree? Isn’t it the prettiest?”

“It’s the most beautiful tree I’ve ever seen,” Santa replied, leaning down with a twinkle in his eye.

Lora stood a few feet away, frozen in place. Her heart swelled with gratitude and emotion as she watched the scene unfold.

“Don’t worry,” Sandra whispered, her voice soft but reassuring. “It’s Rick. We figured Kira didn’t need the truth this year — not yet.”

Lora turned to her friend, her vision blurry with tears. “Thank you,” she managed to say, her voice breaking.

“Thank you for this.”

Sandra gave her a comforting squeeze.

“Lora, you’re not alone. John may be gone, but we’re still here. You have us. We’ll always be here for you, especially when you need us the most.”

Lora knelt, pulling her daughter into a tight hug.

She kissed Kira’s forehead. “It is,” she whispered.

“And you’re the best little girl Santa could ever visit.”

As the evening wore on, Sandra and Rick stayed to share hot cocoa and stories by the tree. For the first time in months, Lora felt a glimmer of peace.

The ache of John’s absence lingered, but the love surrounding her dulled the edges of her pain.

When Sandra and Rick finally left, Lora hugged her friend tightly. “I’ll never forget this,” she said softly.

“Thank you for reminding me I’m not alone.”

Sandra smiled warmly. “That’s what family is for.”

Later, as Lora tucked Kira into bed, she held her daughter’s hand a little longer, watching her drift into a peaceful sleep.

The pain of loss was still there, but so was love — enduring and abundant. Christmas, she thought, was about moments like this.

Tell us what you think about this story, and share it with your friends. It might inspire them and brighten their day.

If you enjoyed this story, read this one: It felt like Chelsea’s boyfriend had changed since they started dating. He used to be romantic and gentle and even wrote her letters. But now, he didn’t show up and left her alone at his friend’s birthday. However, after Chelsea found a letter in his friend’s coat, she realized the hard truth. Read the full story here.

This piece is inspired by stories from the everyday lives of our readers and written by a professional writer. Any resemblance to actual names or locations is purely coincidental. All images are for illustration purposes only. Share your story with us; maybe it will change someone’s life.