Articles

Half-Buried in the Dirt

In a busy city, where tall buildings touched the sky and streets were always filled with rushing people, there lived a boy named EJ. He was an orphan with no home to go to. Every day, EJ wandered the streets, searching for food and a safe place to sleep. He had no family, no warm bed, and no one to look after him. But despite his struggles, he had a big heart and a dream—he wanted a better life, not just for himself but for all kids like him.

The nights were the hardest. The cold crept into his bones, and hunger gnawed at his stomach. Some nights, he slept under bridges, on empty park benches, or in old buildings where no one would chase him away. He had learned to survive, but he always wished for more.

One chilly evening, EJ walked through a small park, shivering in his thin, worn-out clothes. His stomach growled, reminding him that he hadn’t eaten all day. He searched the park benches, hoping to find forgotten food or loose change. Just as he was about to give up, something shiny caught his eye.

It was half-buried in the dirt under a bench.

Curious, EJ knelt down and brushed the dirt away with his fingers. His eyes widened. It was a coin—but not just any coin. It was golden and had strange, beautiful symbols carved into it. As he held it up to the dim streetlight, the symbols glowed softly.

EJ wiped the coin on his ragged sleeve and whispered, “I wish I could help all the kids like me.”

The moment he spoke, the coin grew warm in his hand. A soft light surrounded him, and for a brief second, the park shimmered as if it was made of gold. Then everything went back to normal. EJ blinked, wondering if he had imagined it.

Tired and hungry, he curled up under a tree and clutched the coin tightly. “At least I have something special,” he mumbled before falling asleep.

The next morning, EJ woke up feeling warm and comfortable. This was strange—he usually woke up cold and stiff from sleeping outside. He sat up quickly and gasped.

He was not in the park anymore. He was lying on a soft bed in a small, cozy room. A thick blanket covered him, and the air smelled like fresh bread and warm tea. His eyes darted around the room. There was a small wooden table, a chair, and a window with soft curtains that let in golden morning light.

EJ’s heart pounded. “Where am I?” he whispered.

Just then, the door opened, and a kind-looking woman stepped inside. She had short gray hair, bright eyes, and a warm smile.

“Good morning, EJ,” she said gently.

EJ froze. “How do you know my name?”

The woman sat on the chair beside his bed. “My name is Mrs. Relavo. Your coin brought you here.”

EJ’s hand shot to his pocket. The coin was still there, warm against his skin.

“This place is a home for children like you,” Mrs. Relavo continued. “You can stay here as long as you need. Here, you’ll have food, a bed, and a chance to learn.”

EJ’s throat tightened. “I can really stay?”

Mrs. Relavo nodded. “Yes, dear. You are safe here.”

EJ had never felt safe before. Tears filled his eyes, but he quickly wiped them away.

That day, EJ met other children in the house. Some were orphans like him, others had run away from dangerous homes. They all had different stories, but they shared one thing—they finally had a place to belong.

For the first time in his life, EJ ate a full meal. He had warm soup, soft bread, and fresh fruit. He took small bites, afraid it might disappear.

A boy named Marco sat next to him and grinned. “You don’t have to eat so fast. There’s always more.”

EJ looked around. The other kids were laughing and chatting. It felt… nice. “I’ve never had a home before,” he admitted.

Marco patted his shoulder. “Well, now you do.”

Years passed, and EJ grew up. He was no longer the hungry, lonely boy in the park. He was strong, kind, and smart. He never forgot the magical coin or the wish he had made that night.

One evening, he sat by the window, holding the coin between his fingers. “I wished to help all kids like me,” he murmured.

And he had. With the help of Mrs. Relavo and other kind people, EJ started a foundation called “Bright Future.” It was a place for homeless and orphaned children, just like the home that had saved him.

EJ worked hard, raising money and building new homes across the city. Each house gave kids food, safety, and education. The kids who grew up there, just like him, went on to do great things.

At the opening of a new home, a young reporter approached EJ.

“Mr. EJ, you’ve helped thousands of children. How did you do it?”

EJ smiled, pulled out the magical coin, and rubbed it between his fingers. “With a little help from magic and a lot of love and hard work,” he said.

The reporter tilted her head. “Magic?”

EJ chuckled. “When I was a child, I found this coin. I made a wish—to help kids like me. And somehow, everything changed after that.”

The reporter’s eyes widened. “Do you think the coin really has magic?”

EJ thought for a moment. “Maybe it does, or maybe the real magic was the kindness of people like Mrs. Relavo.” He smiled. “But whatever it was, I’ll keep using it to help others.”

That night, EJ sat in his office, looking at the city lights. He placed the coin on his desk and whispered, “I wish every child in the world could have a chance to dream.”

The coin glowed softly, just like it had all those years ago.

EJ never stopped working to make life better for homeless kids. More and more homes were built, more children were given a chance at a new life.

One evening, a little girl named Rosa arrived at one of his homes. She had big, frightened eyes, just like EJ once had.

He knelt beside her and handed her the golden coin. “Here, hold this. It brought me to a safe place once.”

Rosa held the coin tightly. “Will it help me too?”

EJ smiled. “It already has.”

That night, Rosa fell asleep with the coin in her hand, just as EJ had done long ago.

And with that, the magic of kindness continued, changing lives one wish at a time.

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The Lesson of the Story :

The lesson in the story is that kindness, hope, and hard work can change lives. A small act of kindness, whether from a person or something magical, can help someone in need. When people are given love and support, they can grow and help others too. Hard work, determination, and a kind heart are more powerful than any magic. Even if life begins with struggles, things can change with effort and belief. Helping others brings true happiness, and one good deed can lead to many more. No one should feel alone when people care for each other. A single wish or dream, when followed with action, can turn into something great. Giving hope to others creates a better world for everyone.

Those who want to be remembered, recognized, admired and flattered often make hypocritical investments. Those with this character do not invest in areas that do not earn them a reputation. However, fame has a bitter side that enslaves people to people.

"Before the Coffee Gets Cold" by Toshikazu Kawaguchi is a novel that revolves around a small Tokyo café with a peculiar time-traveling chair. The story unfolds as customers visit the café to travel back in time, but with certain conditions—they can only meet someone from the past and must return before their coffee gets cold.

The novel weaves together different narratives, exploring the complex emotions and relationships of the characters. Each time-traveling episode brings forth a mix of joy, regret, and reflection as individuals confront their pasts and attempt to find resolution. The overarching theme is the impact of time on human connections and the choices that shape our lives.

Throughout the novel, the café becomes a poignant backdrop for introspection, allowing characters to confront unresolved issues and gain insights into themselves and their relationships. "Before the Coffee Gets Cold" offers a unique blend of magical realism and human drama, encouraging readers to ponder the significance of the moments that shape our destinies.