A Pillow and a Blanket

[Guest guest]

A Pillow and a Blanket

A long time ago, a young, wealthy girl was getting ready for bed. She was saying

her prayers when she heard a muffled crying coming through her window. A little

frightned, she went over to the window and leaned out.

Another girl, who seemed to be about her age and homeless was standing in the

alley by the rich girl's house. Her heart went out to the homeless girl, for it

was the dead of winter, and the girl had no blanket, only old newspapers someone

had thrown out.

The rich girl was suddenly struck with a brilliant idea. She called to the other

girl and said, " You there, come to my front door, please. "

The homeless girl was so startled she could only manage to nod.

As quick as her legs could take her, the young girl ran down the hall to her

mothers closet, and picked out an old quilt and a beat up pillow. She had to

walk slower down to the front door as to not trip over the quilt which was

hanging down, but she made it eventually. Dropping both the articles, she opened

the door. Standing there was the homeless girl, looking quite scared.

The rich girl smiled warmly and handed both articles to the other girl. Her

smile grew wider as she watched the true amazement and happiness alight upon the

other girl's face. She went to bed incredibly satisfied.

In mid-morning the next day a knock came to the door. The rich girl flew to the

door hoping that it was the other little girl there. She opened the large door

and looked outside. It was the other little girl. Her face looked happy, and she

smiled. " I suppose you want these back. "

The rich little girl opened her mouth to say that she could keep them when

another idea popped into her head. " No, I want them back. "

The homeless girl's face fell. This was obviously not the answer she had hoped

for. She reluctantly laid down the beat up things, and turned to leave when the

rich girl yelled, " Wait! Stay right there. "

She turned in time to see the rich girl running up the stairs and down a long

corridor. Deciding whatever the rich little girl was doing wasn't worth waiting

for she started to turn around and walk away. As her foot hit the first step,

she felt someone tap her on the shoulder, turning she saw the rich little girl,

thrusting a new blanket and pillow at her. " Have these. " she said quietly.

These were her own personal belonging made of silk and down feathers.

As the two grew older they didn't see each other much, but they were never far

from each other's minds. One day, the Rich girl, who was now a Rich woman got a

telephone call from someone. A lawyer, saying that she was requested to see him.

When she arrived at the office, he told her what had happened. Forty years ago,

when she was nine years old, she had helped a little girl in need. That grew

into a middle-class woman with a husband and two children. She had recently died

and left something for her in her will. " Though, " the lawyer said, " it's the

most peculiar thing. She left you a pillow and a blanket. "

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~ " We all take different paths in life, but no matter where we go, we take a

little of each other everywhere. " ~

~ " If I could reach up and hold a star for every time you've made me smile, the

entire evening sky would be in the palm of my hand. "