Random Short Stories

Balloon

Julia handed Joshua a purple balloon. "Get well soon!" She was his third visitor. That's because she was the teacher's daughter, and her mother forced her to come. The other two, John and Eric, weren't really his friends, although they often ganged up with him against other kids to get their lunch money.

Joshua knew he wouldn't have long to live. He could feel it, deep inside. Seeing his grandmother cry after talking with the doctor confirmed it. His time had come. He didn't tell his visitors, though. They would either pity him or be happy to get rid of him.

Once Julia left, he ripped a page off his notebook and wrote, "Dear God, I know I messed up, and nobody likes me. Please give me a second chance. I can change, I can become a good person." He drew a map showing the way from the church to the hospital, walked shakily to the window, and let the balloon fly away, carrying his message toward God. The balloon headed straight to a telephone pole, but a gentle breeze blew it away just in time. It crossed paths with a duck family and disappeared out of view.

The next day, a girl he had never met before came to visit him. "I find balloon," she said. "You are lonely?" He just nodded, too startled to talk. "I lonely too. I come from Afghanistan and I no speak English good. My name is Sarah, and I'm homeless, but it's okay." She smiled. "I bring gift to you." She handed him a box of chocolates. "I pray for friend, and God give me friend." Typically, he would have made fun of her broken English, her terrible smell, and her dirty clothes, but he knew better. He smiled and offered her the first chocolate.

...

"Are you sure you weren't followed? The whole mission would be compromised if anyone had spotted you" Sarah asked. It's been two years since Joshua's life was miraculously saved by God. "Positive." He replied in short breaths. "Were you able to secure the equipment?" He glanced around and pulled a black bandanna off a shiny red metal box. "With this under our power," Sarah declared, "we will be able to annihilate the enemy before complete invasion." Joshua carefully picked one of the silver elements from the box and examined it thoughtfully. Just as he laid the piece back in place, the ground shook, the room darkened, and a voice boomed from above: "What are you two doing under the table with my toolbox?" "Get out, Dad!"

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First random story; hope it isn't too bad

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