When a poor janitor gives her daughter an antique toy from a flea market, she hears a cracking sound. She cries over what she finds.
“I love this. Eve will love!” Pauline shouted as she passed a toy vendor.
Pauline was a janitor and single mother to Eve, 8. Since her husband died of cancer years earlier, she had raised Eve alone.
Pauline noticed the doll at the flea market and thought it would be Eve’s best birthday present. She had no money to buy anything expensive, so the flea market was her only bet.
Pauline didn’t scrutinize the doll before buying it because she was thinking about Eve. The doll made a strange cracking sound when given to Eve on her birthday two days later.
A few days prior…
“Mommy,” Eve lamented. “Get me a doll?”
“Honey,” Pauline said gently. “We have a tight budget this month. Next month, Mommy will get you one. A promise.”
“But mommy… Eve’s voice broke. Two days until my birthday. Did you forget?”
Oh, no, dear! Not at all!” However, Pauline had forgotten and regretted it.
Are you still not buying me a doll? Mom, I have no pals. Nobody wants to be my friend because we’re poor. That doll may be my best friend…
“Oh honey,” Pauline hugged Eve. I’ll get the doll. Promise. Don’t cry, okay?
Pauline knew Eve’s schoolmates mistreated her because she wasn’t rich, but she couldn’t change it. Children may be mean.
Present day…
After buying the doll, Pauline was thrilled. She couldn’t wait to give Eve it and see her gorgeous smile. Vintage dolls held little babies.
“Oh, Eve will be thrilled!” On her drive home, Pauline thought.
***
Eve was. The toy Pauline gave the girl on her birthday brought her endless joy.
Something that makes someone grin might also make them sad.
“Ta-da! Mommy bought Evie a doll!” Pauline exclaimed, grasping the doll. “Can mommy kiss that?”
“How pretty! Thank you, mama!” Eve chirped while kissing Pauline’s cheek.
Pauline heard a peculiar crackling sound as she gave Eve the doll.
It was what? Pauline ponders.
She heard the crackling again when she shook the doll close to her ears.
“Mommy! Here, give! Hold my doll! Please! Please!” Eve claimed she was eager to play.
“One second, honey. There may be anything inside…
Then Pauline investigated the doll and found a hidden pocket in its clothes. Untying the slack threads surrounding it released a note.
Eve instantly grabbed it up and exclaimed, “Mommy, it says ‘Happy Birthday, Mommy.’” Not your birthday! My birthday! This is ridiculous!”
Pauline noticed the note looked child-written when she read it. At that moment, Pauline thought of the doll seller.
***
She brought the doll to the flea market the next day and found the woman’s stand.
“I’m glad I found you!” Pauline said. I purchased a doll yesterday and received a note inside.
Miriam had tears when she saw the note. “My daughter got this doll for me,” she whispered. She went away two days before my birthday.My husband and I apologize…” The woman hid her face as she cried.
“I’m really sorry for your loss,” Pauline apologized. “I was unaware. I can’t erase your grief, but I can hold you.”
“Thank you…” Miriam said. After hugging her, Miriam told Pauline her sad story, bringing tears to her eyes.
“My little daughter was diagnosed with c.a.ncer,” Miriam said. We needed her chemotherapy funds. My husband and I work in a factory. Since we couldn’t afford her hospital fees, we set up a booth to sell our old furniture and unwanted items.
We failed to save our daughter.We lost her too soon. We’re selling her things because they sadden me every time I see them.”
“My baby girl asked me to be happy one night when I held her hand. Mumma, please remember me with a smile when I’m gone. Selling the toys was my choice. She bought that doll to remind me of her. Please forgive me for oversharing, but my heart is relieved today. I appreciate your attention.”
Miriam cried again after finishing. Pauline comforted her, and they discussed their lives. Pauline invited her over to share her experience raising Eve alone.
“Eve will love to meet you,” she continued. Many thanks for the doll. Made my daughter’s day. Your daughter is probably smiling at you. “Thank you again,” she said before leaving.
A few days later, Miriam visited Eve and Pauline in their trailer.
“Thank you for your kindness and patience in listening to me that day. Miriam gave Pauline an envelope, hoping it helped her and Eve.
Pauline opened it and discovered two dollars. $3000 total. “Oh, Miriam, we can’t take this. What a lot. It doesn’t feel right…
“You can take it, Pauline,” Miriam said. Mothers know how much it hurts to not do enough for their children. We made this selling toys. Please retain. Please preserve it for Eve, not me.”
Pauline wept. “Thank you, Miriam. This will aid us greatly. Thanks.”
After that, Miriam and Pauline became friends and Miriam spoiled Eve too much. Best of all, Pauline and Eve’s company helped Miriam recover from her loss.
What can this story teach us?
You’ll never regret helping others. Pauline and Miriam helped each other whenever possible. That comforted Miriam, and Pauline and Eve found someone who enjoyed their company.
Something that makes someone grin might also make them sad. The toy that made Eve joyful on her birthday reminded Miriam of her sorrowful past.
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