Boy gives up his dream shoes to buy boots for poor classmate

David was a young and talented football player. His biggest dream was to play for the national team. Even though he was just 12, he practiced hard and was determined to make his dream come true. He also really wanted a pair of spiked shoes.

Every day, while sitting by the window on the school bus, he imagined himself lifting a big trophy and thanking his mother for everything she had done for him. “That would be an amazing speech,” he would whisper to himself.

For months, David had been saving money to buy a new pair of sneakers. He loved those sneakers so much. Every day, he sold lemonade at a stand he built himself and helped his neighbors with small jobs. He wanted to save the money on his own because he knew his mother was already working hard to take care of him and his twin sisters.

One afternoon, David stopped by the shoe store and told the owner, Mr. Manning, that he was saving up for new shoes. “Young man, your shoes will be here waiting,” Mr. Manning said with a smile.

One morning, on the way to school, a boy named Guillermo asked if he could sit next to David. “Of course,” David said.

Guillermo admired David. He wanted to be popular among their classmates, just like David.
That day, Guillermo told David that he liked his shoes. David smiled and said they were already old and that he was saving for a new pair.

Guillermo quickly hid his feet under the seat. The truth was, his shoes were the ones that were really old and worn out, not David’s.

Over the next few days, David and Guillermo became close friends. One day, David told his friend, “Guillermo, I finally did it. My piggy bank is full! I’m getting my dream shoes today.”

Guillermo was happy for David. As they talked, the bus suddenly hit a pothole, and one of Guillermo’s shoes slipped off onto the floor.

David was shocked. The shoe had a hole in the sole. He felt bad for his friend and embarrassed because he had been talking so much about his new shoes, while Guillermo’s were falling apart. The canvas was tearing, and the laces were missing.

The next day, David asked Guillermo to go with him to the store.

Once inside, Mr. Manning greeted David. “Congrats, young man! You saved up for your shoes. They are packed in a box, waiting for you.”

“Mr. Manning,” David said, “I want the shoes, but in a smaller size, please.”

Mr. Manning looked confused. “But these are your size, young man,” he said.

David pointed at Guillermo and said, “I want them in his size.”

Guillermo was shocked. “No, David, you don’t have to—” But David interrupted him. “Guillermo, you always say I’m your idol and your hero. Let me do this for you.”

Mr. Manning had always thought David was a good kid, but this act of kindness still surprised him.

He brought out a pair of shoes in Guillermo’s size and handed them to him.

The two friends were happy as they walked home together.

At home, David’s mom asked if he had gotten his shoes. Looking down, afraid she might be upset, he quietly said, “Mom, I bought them for my friend Guillermo. His shoes were really old, and I thought he needed them more than I did.”

His mother hugged him tightly. “Oh, son, you have such a kind heart. I’m so proud of you.”

As they talked about Guillermo, a truck suddenly stopped in front of their house.

It was Mr. Manning. He had brought lots of shoes for David, his sisters, and Guillermo.

“I know how much you wanted those spiked sneakers,” Mr. Manning said. “I’ve seen you working hard, selling lemonade, and delivering newspapers. You helped a friend in need, so I wanted to surprise you today.”

That day, David learned an important lesson—every act of kindness, no matter how small, always comes back in the best way.