Getting Rich

Flash Fiction

Getting Rich

Sometimes, a fortune can be made through a single small kind gesture.

“Could I borrow some money?” came a voice from behind me. I kept walking, but it came again, louder.

Being out in public, all my ‘out in public’ precautions popped into mind at once! Don’t walk alone in isolated places. Don’t talk to strangers. Always have an escape route. I’d been wandering down the street daydreaming. I wasn’t even sure where I was, beyond on Green Street.

Knowing I had no choice but to pretend calm and confront my possible attacker I took the offensive.

“Are you speaking to me?” I said in my most irritated voice. There behind me was a child, seemingly around ten-ish He looked ordinary. He had a very deep voice, but other than that he fit the bill perfectly, jeans, tee shirt, dirty sneakers, untied. The blondest hair, uncombed. He blinked and said, “Yes.”

“What do you need to borrow money for?” I asked. “You do know that ‘borrow’ means you will pay me back, don’t you?”

“I do. I will pay you back. I just need enough to call my parent at that corner store.”

“Well,” I said, being a sucker for a polite child, “Alright, here. This is all I have.” I handed him a five-dollar bill.

“Thank you!” he said, and ran off. I knew I’d never see him again, he didn’t even get my name, let alone make plans to get my money back. However, it actually was a lovely encounter, it made me smile.

Later, listening about the UFO sighting near the town park, I went outside to look up at the sky, and I almost tripped over a pot full of pure gold on my doorstep.

There was a note attached: “Thank you for helping our child.”