It was the morning of a beautiful spring day, actually the very first one of the year. The people of a small city just outside of New York were finally awakening out of their hibernation to experience the fresh new air of spring’s arrival. The sun shined brighter than it had in nearly four months, the birds were chirped loudly with glee from the well anticipated arrival of spring.
It was so glorious outside, in fact, that Old Man Roberts decided he would get a head start on his gardening. This plating season he was especially excited for because just the other day he found a mystery seed that hid underneath a great oak tree. So he geared up and prepared for his, hopefully, relaxing day all alone with him, some dirt and the mysterious seed. He threw on his typical gardening attire and figured that since it was the first official day of spring, he’d whip out his favorite gardening button that read: I love gardening. Old man Roberts knew that with his favorite button and his new seed, he’d be well on his way of a great planting season!
As he walked out of the door he could see all the bustling on the streets. He watched as the cars passed with open windows, and as the children played gleefully on the sidewalk. He decided to plant the mystery seed along the front of his yard, to show off his immense gardening skills to the unassuming pedestrians. But as he kneeled down in preparation for the seed plating ceremony, his favorite button fell off and rolled nearly half way down the street into the large group of children playing tag. Old man Roberts, in hopes of recovering the button before any of the children did, scurried over quickly to the opposing side of the street it had rolled to. But before he could even cross the street a little girl had spotted it as she ran past it. It immediately stopped her in her tracks, and she knelt down and picked it up to examine the object further. As she read the small font on the pin she smiled and attempted to pocket it.
“Excuse me little girl but that button you’re about to take is mine!” Old man Roberts shouted as he finally got the opportunity to cross the busy street. Startled, the young girl took three steps back and pushed the button further into her jean pocket, “Young lady, did you hear me correctly?” Old man questioned.
“Yes… I did, but finders keepers, losers weepers!” she chanted still slightly frightened. The sudden arrival of an adult sparked the young girl’s friends curiosity and, as a result they walked over to investigate.
“What’s going on here?” a little boy asked looking at Old man.
“Well, I found this button on the ground just a second ago and,” she pulled the bright blue button out of her pocket and showed it to all her friends. As they all passed it around she continued, “This old man told me that it was his and well, I said: Finders keepers losers weepers!” the young girl was gaining confidence as all her friends stared in awe of her shiny new object.
“Yeah! She’s right! And what are you gonna do about it anyway?” another young girl chimed. They all stood around the little thief in attempt of a standoff with old Man Roberts.
“Well… nothing… I just thought she’d give it back because it’s the right thing to do,” Old man admitted.
“Well the only way you’re gonna get back this here button, is if you trade us something better!” the little bandit said and they all agreed audibly.
Old man Roberts sighed in defeat; he did not have anything worthy of trading small children for, “Well I guess—“ suddenly, the thought of the seed popped into his mind, “Well I guess I do have something perhaps… but the question is, are you worthy enough?” he questioned with a grin. The children all looked at each other in a mutual agreement.
“Show us whatcha got old man,” a young boy grumbled. Old man Roberts’ smiled grew wider as he knew he had just tricked the children.
He walked across the street with the small hoard of children following him anxiously. As he reached his garden he grabbed the seed and turned toward the children, who were all waiting in anticipation.
“Do you see this seed?” he questioned excitedly. They all nodded completely engaged in every word he uttered, “Well this is a magical seed. Once you plant it, it turns into a beautiful fruit that, with one single bite, can give any human the ability to fly!” The children all gasped in surprise.
“That’s awesome!” the button pocketer said.
“Is this good enough for you kids?” Old man asked. They all nodded profusely, excited to see what the seed had in store. Old man grinned and handed the girl the seed. She held it preciously as all the other children stared in amazement.
Without even a second look she gave the button back to Old man and walked away cherishing the small seed that resided in her small hands. The all babbled in glee as they thought they had won the true prize. But old man Roberts knew that the small seed was nothing but a sunflower seed, whereas the true mystery seed and his favorite gardening pin remained his true prized possessions.