As the cashier counted the coins, I decided to chat with the boy. Me: That’s a lot of fruit. Who are they for? Him: For my grandma. She’s in the city hospital. Fruits will help her feel better! Me: What’s your name, young man? Him: Tyler. Me: Tyler, that is a great amount of money you’ve saved up, but you’re actually $14 short. But that’s okay. You go ahead and take these fruits to your grandma. Him: No way! I don’t want to take any of it for free! Suddenly his eyes brightened and he said, “I’ve got an idea!”
Martha was not just her grandson’s caregiver but also his best buddy. Sweet Tyler thought about her often and missed her every day even though his dad took him to the hospital as much as he could.
That morning, Tyler watched a video of him and his grandma on their porch laughing together; he loved seeing her smile so much! But now that she was in the hospital at risk for pneumonia, he knew he had to care for her like she did when mom and dad weren’t around.
Then it hit him—his granny always said food was like medicine; every sickness showed what our bodies needed—so he decided to bring some juicy oranges.
Excited by this plan, he reached into his piggy bank filled with 50-cent coins earned from solving riddles for his grandma; yes, Tyler loved figuring out those riddles—it was his favorite part of being with meemaw!
The next morning, he convinced Dad to stop at the grocery store on their way to see Grandma. “Please Dad! It’s for Grandma! It’ll be a surprise!” He jumped out of the car with his backpack and rushed inside.
Once there, he grabbed all kinds of food—kiwis strawberries oranges—you name it!
At checkout, handing over his piggy bank filled with coins to Stella—the cashier who owned the store—he exclaimed “Good morning! I’d like all these please!” He felt thrilled saying “I’m paying cash; there’s 42 dollars and 50 cents here—is that enough?”
After counting it up she told him that unfortunately $14 short but since Tyler shared about taking them to grandmas she let him have all fruits anyway.
But Tyler didn’t want them free instead told Stella about a riddle if she solved it right he’d run outside grab more money from Dad otherwise he’d pay only what had.
Stella smiled eager listening while other customers waiting in line perked up too!
Then Tyler asked “What is always ahead but can’t be seen?”
The small crowd murmured guessing things like “Air?” or “Glasses?” Stella looked puzzled thinking hard nothing fit until finally gave up then Tyler revealed “The answer is…the future!”
Stella grinned handing over bags full of fruits as excitedly walked out straight into Dad’s car ready get back hospital fast!
Seeing Grandma again shared story made her laugh saying how proud she felt about him too while parents secretly beamed at their clever son.
She apologized interrupting them saying impressed by kindness wanted match it covering medical bills too!
Plus added each week there would be bag fruit waiting just for Ty at store!
Tyler’s mom & dad who struggled financially were super thankful while Grandma placed hands on chest calming heart from joyfulness overflowing excitement leaving hospital when Stella remembered own grandmother telling riddles paying 50 cents per right answer knowing last riddle asked already knew answer pretending didn’t—it was final riddle ever given still holding onto last 50 cents years later
