Kids Ebooks - Ben's Birthday Gift of Kindness

Ben’s Birthday Gift

Ben was turning nine, and he was beyond excited. He had been counting the days on a paper calendar he’d stuck to his bedroom wall, circling each one with a red crayon. Only two more days left. Every year, his parents gave him a special gift—something he really wanted. Last year it was a blue bicycle with silver handles. The year before

that, it was a big box of LEGOs. But this year, Ben had only one wish—a shiny red remote-control car he’d seen in the toy store window downtown. It had big black wheels and could do flips and spin in circles. He had stared at it so many times that he even saw it in his dreams. On the morning of his birthday, Ben jumped

out of bed, ran downstairs, and saw a big box on the table wrapped in paper with stars all over it. His parents sang happy birthday, and his little sister Sophie clapped with excitement. Ben tore off the wrapping paper, and there it was—the shiny red car with big black wheels. He gasped, hugged his parents, and ran straight outside to test it out. He

zipped it across the driveway, making it twist and turn and spin. He laughed so loudly the neighbors peeked out of their windows to smile. For hours, he played, completely lost in joy. Later that afternoon, his mom said they needed to go to the store to pick up some groceries. Ben wanted to stay home and keep playing, but she insisted. “We’ll be quick,”

she said. They drove to the store, and Ben brought the remote-control car with him, keeping it close like a treasure. On the way out, as they passed the parking lot, Ben saw a boy sitting on the curb with a backpack beside him. His clothes were torn in places, and his shoes were muddy and too small for his feet. His head was down,

and he looked like he hadn’t smiled in a long time. Ben tugged on his mom’s hand. “Who is that boy?” His mom paused and looked. “I don’t know, honey. Maybe he’s waiting for someone.” But Ben couldn’t stop looking. The boy didn’t move. He just sat there, holding his knees and staring at the ground. Suddenly, Ben walked over and said, “Hi.” The boy

looked up slowly. His eyes were tired but gentle. “Hi,” he said quietly. “I’m Ben. Today’s my birthday,” Ben added proudly. The boy gave a tiny smile. “Happy birthday.” Ben looked down at the car in his hand. He had waited months for this gift. But now, in this moment, something inside him felt different. The joy he’d felt earlier started to shift into something

else—something deeper. He sat down beside the boy. “What’s your name?” Ben asked. “Liam.” “Do you want to try this?” Ben held out the remote. Liam looked surprised. “Me?” Ben nodded. “Yeah. It’s really fun. Look.” He pressed a button and the car zoomed forward, then spun in a circle. Liam’s eyes lit up, just for a second. He took the remote and hesitantly tried

it. The car moved in a wobbly line and then bumped into a cart, but Liam laughed—a small, rusty laugh like he hadn’t used it in a long time. Ben sat there for a minute, just watching him. Then he said, without really planning it, “You can have it.” Liam stopped. “What?” “You can keep it. I think... I think it’ll make you happier than

it makes me.” Liam looked down at the remote, then back at Ben. “But... it’s your birthday.” Ben smiled, his heart strangely warm. “Yeah. That’s why it’s the perfect day to share.” Liam looked like he might cry, but he just whispered, “Thank you.” Ben’s mom had been watching from a distance, her hand on her mouth. She walked over, knelt beside Ben, and gently

asked, “Are you sure, sweetheart?” Ben nodded. “It’s okay, Mom. I can always play with something else. But he looked like he needed it more.” His mom gave him a big hug. “I’m so proud of you.” Liam carefully put the remote-control car into his backpack. “I don’t know what to say,” he said. “No one’s ever... done something like that for me.” Ben just

smiled. “Have fun with it.” That evening, as they drove home, Ben stared out of the car window, quiet but content. He didn’t have the toy anymore, but something else had filled his heart—something that made him feel even happier than when he’d unwrapped the gift that morning. That night, as he lay in bed, a soft glow appeared near his window. He opened his

eyes to see tiny sparkles dancing in the air, like golden dust swirling gently. One of them floated close and whispered something only his heart could hear: "Kindness makes magic real." Ben sat up and whispered back, “I believe it.” The next day at school, Ben told his teacher what had happened. She was so moved that she shared the story with the class. Then

the principal heard about it, and soon the whole school started a project called “Ben’s Kindness Day,” where every student would bring something small—like a toy, a book, or even a letter—and give it to someone who needed it. Ben didn’t want any attention. He didn’t do it for praise. He just remembered the look on Liam’s face when he laughed and the warmth that

had filled his own chest. From that day on, Ben kept his eyes open—not just for people who looked like they needed help, but for moments when a small choice could make a big difference. He became the kind of kid who picked up dropped lunchboxes, shared his crayons, stood up for quiet kids, and asked questions like, “Are you okay?” and “Wanna play?” Years

later, when Ben was older, someone asked him what his favorite birthday was. Without thinking, he answered, “The one when I gave my gift away.”

Moral: True happiness comes not from what we get, but from what we give. Kindness may seem small, but it can light up someone’s whole world—and your own.