
“Can I shine your shoes for $20, mister?”
“Shoe-shining don’t come cheap these days, do they,” the man sighed, “all right but first, tell me kid, what are you doing this for,” the man let out a huff, “tryin’ to make a livin’?”
“No sir,” the kid said innocently, “I’m just trying to make enough to buy baseball cards.”
“Baseball cards!” The man exploded, “You’re doing this for a bunch of soon-to-be worthless collectible, kid,” he sighed with resignation when he saw the frightened expression on the kid’s face, and then reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a 50-dollar-bill, “tell you what, kid, you do an excellent job shinin’ my shoes and promise me you’ll make something of yourself, you play your card right, and this will be yours.”
Written for Six Sentence Story. The prompt is “Card”.

I am glad to hear he offered the child even more than asked for.
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I think there’s a lesson to be taught here.
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A heartwarming story Yinglan
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Thank you.
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Most welcome
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I think this is an experience that will stay with this young man much longer than the $20 baseball cards ever would have. Very nice six.
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I agree, the experience will probably stay with him for life.
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I hope he does make something of himself, at least he is being enterprising.
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I hope so, too, and not always go for the quick easy bucks.
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Compassion and something to really work toward is a great incentive!
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I agree.
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