“Can you give me your donut, sir?” is a squeaky voice behind a wealthy man who is about to finish his donut at lunch break. The man is astonished to realize that the young boy he sees is just like him when he turns around.
During his lunch break, Peter strolled out of his office building and straight to the cafe across the street. When he arrived, he sat at a table outside the restaurant and enjoyed his solitude while ordering his favorite glazed donut and coffee.
Peter was like that. He enjoyed eating his lunch by himself and watching the stream of people walking through the streets. His staff questioned why he took that action. After all, you don’t see a wealthy businessman having lunch at a modest bistro while munching on a $1 donut every day.
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Peter didn’t care, though. He was an ordinary man, unconcerned with the tongues gossiping behind his back.
“Can you give me your donut, sir?” was a squeaky voice that inquired as Peter was ready to bite into the donut that day. Peter was taken aback by what he witnessed next.
Peter spun around as soon as he heard the voice and saw a small child, perhaps six years old, crying behind him.
“My hunger is really strong. He looked at the donut with ravenous eyes and said, “Can I please have that?” Peter hesitated to answer. He was very much like the boy.
Still shocked by the boy’s similarity to him, he finally responded, “Uh, well, yeah, sure, buddy,” as he gave the donut to the youngster.
The child murmured, “Thank you—Thank you, sir,” and slid onto a chair next to Peter. He started to consume the donut.
Peter was unable to look away from him. He felt like he was watching a kid himself gobble up a donut. The fact that the boy’s birthmark matched his own startled him even more. Peter was somewhat concerned about that.
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“Hey, hey, go more slowly. If you’d like, I can get you more,” Peter remarked. “Hey buddy, where are your parents? What’s your name, too?”
With a “I’m Joe,” the child answered. “My daddy died, and I live with mommy at a place where a lot of poor people live.”
Peter asked, “A shelter?” “How did you come by yourself? Kids shouldn’t be allowed to wander about like that.”
Since my mother didn’t have any money and I was quite hungry, I reasoned that I could beg for assistance. He remarked, “I know how to get back.” “Sir, I appreciate your assistance. Could you get my mom and me another donut? She is also ravenous.
The misdeeds of parents should not be borne by their children.
“Perhaps this is the opportunity,” Peter considered. “I might be able to get some answers if I meet his mother. However, I find it hard to understand how this little…How come we look so much alike?”
Peter decided to purchase the youngster some food to take to his mother and go with him since he was keen to discover the cause of their striking similarity. Still, he thought, “I hope this helps.”
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“Please wait right here. Joe, I’ll be right back. Alright?” He said, and the child gave a nod.
After Joe’s mother dropped him off at the shelter, Peter purchased the youngster some sandwiches and doughnuts. Throughout the entire drive, Peter couldn’t help but stare at Joe through the rearview mirror while he was seated in the back seat of his automobile. This young guy, who was he?
***
“Mum! I’m back, and I have food for you. Joe sobbed as he hurriedly exited the vehicle, clutching the food packets. It was only a fifteen-minute commute from Peter’s office to the shelter.
“Hey, careful, Joe!” With a yell, Peter hurried out of the car and trailed the youngster inside. However, Peter was unprepared for what he witnessed. To put it mildly, that gave him a shake.
Peter was never content as a teenager because of Joe’s mother. His mother sobbed most nights instead of sleeping because of her. Peter’s father abandoned them to fend for themselves a number of years ago because of her. Joe’s mother captured Peter’s father’s heart, and he left his family to be with her.
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Peter was reared by his single mother, who worked three jobs. Being compelled to become the head of the household meant that Peter never got to enjoy his adolescence. He completed his studies while working odd jobs to support his mother.
After gaining notoriety a few years later, their situation got better. Peter had never imagined that he would come into contact with his history in this way.
Joe is your kid, then. “No wonder that birthmark,” he muttered as he walked over to Joe’s mom.
“Oh, it’s you!” She recognized him and responded, looking surprised and ashamed. “Did you get all this for us?”
He gave a nod. “Why are you in this place? How,” he paused. “How did you and Joe end up here?”
Abruptly, the woman’s eyes filled with tears. “Joe, would you mind waiting inside, please? Mom will return immediately.”
“All right, mama! And we appreciate your help, sir,” Joe replied, walking off with the food packets.
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“I’m truly sorry for what I did, Peter,” Rachel, the woman, stated. “Your father passed away shortly after Joe was born, years ago. A cancer diagnosis was made for him. His treatment cost us nearly everything, yet he never made a full recovery. That clarifies our current situation.”
He questioned, “Why didn’t you contact us?” “To be really honest, I don’t give a damn about you or my dad, but I do care about Joe.” Heavens, he’s just a kid! He is not worthy to atone for your transgressions! Remember that Joe is a part of my dad! He is kin.”
“Peter…” she murmured. “I’m grateful. I appreciate your concern for Joe.
“If you would like to thank me, take Joe and come with me. You’re going to leave this place soon.”
“How about your mother, though? She will detest me! I destroyed her union!”
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“Well, yes, you did that, but she won’t hate you, Rachel,” Peter replied. That’s what makes my mother unique. She would give Joe a motherly hug. My mother is someone I know. She has a large heart.”
Peter detested Rachel in his heart. He hated her. However, he decided to pardon her since Joe’s distraught expression made him think of a different Joe.
Peter recognized Joe as a reflection of his defenseless younger self, who yearned to cry on someone’s shoulder but was forced to maintain a facade of strength. Since Joe was his brother, Peter was unable to leave him when he became aware of his difficulties.
Mary, his mother, was upset when he brought them home, but she soon stopped crying and forced a grin after seeing tiny Joe.
Joe said, “Hello,” to Mary. “I was informed you were family by Peter. It was a pleasure to meet you.
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Mary greeted the young child and gave him a hug. “How about some milk and cookies? Although I used to enjoy baking cookies, I no longer do it since Peter is an adult. He used to like cookies, too. Would you like some?”
Joe grinned and nodded. “I adore cookies. Peter and I share a funny resemblance in appearance, and we also have a sweet tooth.”
Mary smiled off the statement, even though it made her cry. “Well, you and my son are exactly the same. Rachel, go rest in the guest room while we eat cookies together. Kindly settle in.”
Although Rachel’s actions were difficult for Mary and Peter to overlook, was she really to fault for everything? No, she wasn’t. thus Peter’s father was also accountable. More significantly, Joe had nothing to do with what transpired.
Mary and Peter made the decision to let go of the past and welcome a new beginning instead of dwelling on it.
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What lessons may we draw from this tale?
Although forgiving someone is difficult, a strong heart can and should. Peter and Mary made the decision to accept a fresh start and move on from the past for Joe’s sake. They also managed to forgive Rachel, but it was not easy.
The misdeeds of parents should not be borne by their children. Joe had nothing to do with what Rachel and Peter’s father did. Hence, Peter gave Joe a hug.
Talk about this tale with your companions. It could motivate them and make their day better.
