Tyler’s Big Surprise for Grandma
One day, while the cashier was counting coins, a little boy named Tyler made a decision that would touch everyone around him. He saw the fruits being scanned and thought it was a great time to talk to the cashier.
“Wow, that is a lot of fruit! Who are those for?” Tyler asked.
“They’re for my grandmother,” he replied with bright eyes. “She’s in the city hospital. Fruits are going to help her get better!”
“That’s very thoughtful of you!” the cashier smiled. “What’s your name, young man?”
“Tyler,” he said proudly.
“That is an impressive amount of money you’ve saved up, but you are actually $14 short,” the cashier told him gently. “But that’s alright. You go on and take these fruits to your grandma.”
“No, no! I don’t want to take any of it for free!” Tyler exclaimed suddenly, his face lighting up with inspiration. “I’ve got an idea!”
You see, Tyler loved his grandma, Martha, very much. She was not only his caregiver but also his best friend. He missed her every single day, even though his dad took him to visit the hospital as often as he could.
Just that morning, Tyler had watched a video of himself and Grandma sitting on the porch, laughing and enjoying each other’s company.
Hearing her laughter made him feel warm inside, but now, with her in the hospital and at risk of getting pneumonia, he felt a heavy weight in his heart. He wanted to take care of her just like she had always done for him.
But what could he possibly do? he wondered as he thought about her. He remembered Grandma saying that food is like medicine and that every illness is a way our bodies tell us what they need. An idea sparked in his mind: he would bring her some juicy oranges!
Excited about his plan, Tyler ran to his piggy bank, which was filled with 50-cent coins he earned by solving riddles for his grandma. Solving those riddles was his favorite way to spend time with her!
The next morning, he was ready. “Please, Dad, can we stop at the grocery store on the way to the hospital?” Tyler begged. “It’s a surprise for Grandma!”
His dad smiled at his enthusiasm, and they quickly stopped at the store. Tyler dashed inside with his backpack, his heart racing with excitement. He grabbed all the fruits he could see—kiwis, strawberries, and of course, oranges!
Finally, he made it to the register where the store owner, Stella, was waiting. “Good morning! I’d like all these, please!” he said with a big smile. “I’m paying with cash! There’s $42.50 in here. Is that enough?”
Stella was taken aback by his polite behavior and began counting the coins. After a moment, she said, “Tyler, you are $14 short. But I can see how much you care about your grandma. You can take all the fruits you want.”
But Tyler shook his head firmly. “No, I don’t want to get them for free! I have a riddle for you. If you solve it, I’ll go grab the rest of the money from my dad. If you can’t, then I’ll just pay with what I have.”
Stella, intrigued, smiled and listened closely. Other customers nearby began to lean in, eager to hear the riddle.
“What is always in front of us but can’t be seen?” Tyler asked, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
The small crowd murmured and offered guesses. “Air?” someone suggested. “Spectacles?” guessed another. Stella furrowed her brow, really trying to think. Finally, after a few moments of silence, she sighed, “I give up!”
With a proud grin, Tyler revealed the answer, “The answer is…the future!”
Stella couldn’t help but smile. “That’s a great riddle, Tyler!” she said as she handed him the bags of fruits. With a big grin, he rushed outside to his dad’s car, eager to bring the surprise to his grandma.
When he arrived at the hospital and saw Martha, he excitedly shared the whole story. She laughed heartily and hugged him tight. “Oh, Tyler! I’m so proud of you!” she exclaimed. His parents shared a proud look, knowing their boy was special.
Just as they were chatting in the room, there was a knock at the door. To everyone’s surprise, it was Stella! She apologized for interrupting and explained that she was so impressed by Tyler’s kindness that she wanted to do something special for him and his grandma. “I’ll cover your medical expenses,” she announced with a warm smile.
“And that’s not all! I’ll make sure you get a bag of fruits every week from my store,” she added.
Tyler’s parents couldn’t believe their ears. They struggled to make ends meet, and this was a huge blessing for them. Martha placed her hands on her chest, overwhelmed with joy, as if trying to calm her heart filled with excitement.
Stella then shared a sweet memory: “You know, Tyler, your riddle reminded me of my own grandma. She used to tell me riddles too and would give me 50 cents for each right answer. In fact, the last riddle she asked me was the same one you just told me! And I still have the last 50 cents she gave me!”
Tyler grinned from ear to ear, feeling a deep connection with everyone around him. It was a day full of love, kindness, and surprises that none of them would forget.
What do you think of Tyler’s story? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
