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Hope Tokens

September 13, 2022 30 Comments

By Dee Lorraine

Every Saturday’s the same.

An old widower limps to the bodega for a $1 lottery ticket as a young boy sells hand-painted tokens on the corner. Happy faces, different colors, arranged on a plastic tray.

“Hope tokens here!”

“How much?”

“Dollar each. How many, Mister?”

“Not today.”

The scene repeats—no token purchase, no winning ticket.

One Saturday, as the man passes, the boy offers him a token—a happy brown face like his.

“For you, Mister.”

“Not today.”

“My treat.”

“Okay.”

Tuesday’s news: “Widower wins $100,000 lottery.”

That Saturday, the widower approaches the boy.

“How many, Mister?”

“All of them.”

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Don Tassone says

    September 13, 2022 at 7:00 am

    Great metaphor. Hope is always within reach.

    Reply
    • Dee Lorraine says

      September 13, 2022 at 7:11 pm

      Thank you, Don.

      Reply
  2. Alan Wahnefried says

    September 13, 2022 at 2:54 pm

    Nice story

    Reply
    • Dee Lorraine says

      September 13, 2022 at 7:13 pm

      I’m glad you like it. Thank you, Alan.

      Reply
  3. Liz says

    September 13, 2022 at 9:05 pm

    Haha, nice! Well done

    Reply
  4. Liz says

    September 13, 2022 at 9:05 pm

    Haha, nice! Well done 🙂

    Reply
    • Dee Lorraine says

      September 14, 2022 at 7:57 am

      Thank you, Liz.

      Reply
  5. Joyce Jacobo says

    September 13, 2022 at 9:25 pm

    Awwww, that was a fun, sweet tale. Thank you for bringing a smile to my face. ^_^

    Reply
    • Dee Lorraine says

      September 14, 2022 at 7:59 am

      I’m happy that worked for you, Joyce.

      Reply
      • Joyce Jacobo says

        September 14, 2022 at 3:15 pm

        It sure did. I still chuckle each time I read it. ^_^

        Reply
  6. Tom Baldwin says

    September 13, 2022 at 10:01 pm

    Paid it forward, paid it back. Neat!

    Reply
    • Dee Lorraine says

      September 14, 2022 at 8:02 am

      Thanks, Tom!

      Reply
      • Warner Williams says

        September 16, 2022 at 1:01 pm

        Two thumbs up! You managed to surprise me with the ending, few people can. Keep up the great work.

        Reply
        • Dee Lorraine says

          September 17, 2022 at 8:08 am

          Thank you, Warner!

          Reply
  7. Shyl says

    September 14, 2022 at 1:33 am

    I loved this???

    Reply
    • Joanie says

      September 14, 2022 at 7:19 am

      Lovely! Made me smile!

      Reply
      • Dee Lorraine says

        September 14, 2022 at 8:03 am

        Thank you, Joanie!

        Reply
    • Dee Lorraine says

      September 14, 2022 at 8:00 am

      I hope so, Shyl.

      Reply
  8. Shyl says

    September 14, 2022 at 1:33 am

    I loved this…

    Reply
    • Dee Lorraine says

      September 14, 2022 at 8:04 am

      Good! It’s official. Thanks, Shyl!

      Reply
  9. Toni Brayer says

    September 14, 2022 at 10:59 am

    Fantastic. Made me feel hopeful

    Reply
    • Dee Lorraine says

      September 15, 2022 at 8:53 am

      Thank you, Toni.

      Reply
  10. Chetana Vaishnavi says

    September 14, 2022 at 12:23 pm

    Good story.
    Loved it.

    Reply
    • Dee Lorraine says

      September 15, 2022 at 8:54 am

      Thank you, Chetana.

      Reply
  11. Judyanna says

    September 14, 2022 at 12:31 pm

    I really like this. I shared it on FB and Twitter, I’m glad these stories have that feature!

    Reply
    • Dee Lorraine says

      September 15, 2022 at 8:56 am

      Thanks for the compliment and the shares, Judyanna!

      Reply
  12. Melissa says

    September 14, 2022 at 4:27 pm

    I could visualize this entire story. I wonder if the boy is more than a boy, giving that kind of hope and reward. Love the idea of hope tokens. Good uplifting story, thank you

    Reply
    • Dee Lorraine says

      September 15, 2022 at 8:59 am

      I’m glad you could see the story and its deeper meaning, Melissa.

      Reply
  13. Valli Henry-Boldini says

    September 19, 2022 at 12:37 pm

    Lovely read… kudos…

    Reply
    • Dee Lorraine says

      January 7, 2023 at 10:20 pm

      Thanks so much, Valli.

      Reply

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