by Toni Doswell

Created on: February 18, 2009   Last Updated: November 17, 2011

John counted the money one more time.

He was still missing a dime.

You see, he was stuck at the grocery store.

And needed only a dime more.

When a friendly customer saw his dismay.

And shoved a silver dime his way.

Smiling, he thanked the kind man and looked him in the eye.

He looked down at his hands and wanted to cry.

For the man had only one arm, and one eye.

A patch covered the other on the left side.

There still seemed to be pain there that he could not hide.

But as John accepted his kindness he wished he could repay.

The generous man who gave him a dime that day.

Said he to the man, "I'll pay you back, may I."

"Oh, no!" said the man with a gentle reply.

"I cherish people, not money, my boy.

Money is meant to be spent and not hoarded with joy.

Pass on your blessing and with others share your gain,

Use money as a resource to wipe away others' pains."

The lesson John learned about money that day.

Was a lesson he never forgot and lives with him today.

When John sees a dime it reminds him of the man.

Who taught him the value of money that is placed in the hand.

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