Gemstones | Winners ✮ Anthology

'One Scoop At A Time' by @_hey_its_grace

Winning entry of "Rewind to Write" Prompt 4: Written by _hey_its_grace

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PART ONE:

In the bustling streets of a nameless city, a young boy named Sam, aged around ten, navigated the crowded sidewalks with a heavy heart. He was a street hawker, trying to eke out a living by selling small trinkets and knick-knacks to passersby. Life had not been kind to him, and he hadn't had a penny to call his own for as long as he could remember.

Sam's days were spent wandering the streets, weaving through the bustling throngs of people. With a worn-out sack slung over his shoulder, he displayed his humble wares—a collection of shiny stones, marbles, and homemade crafts—hoping to catch the attention of anyone willing to spare some change. His big, round eyes shimmered with a mix of determination and innocence as he persistently approached each potential customer, despite the countless rejections he faced.

One fateful day, as the sun beat down mercilessly, Sam's luck seemed to take a turn for the worse. He found himself sitting dejectedly on a worn-out crate, his empty stomach grumbling in protest. In a desperate bid to distract himself from his hunger, his eyes wandered to the colorful storefront across the street. It was an ice cream parlor, a place of sheer delight and tantalizing flavors that seemed worlds away from his reality.

As Sam sat there, a disheartened expression etched on his face, he noticed a little girl, no older than six, skipping happily out of the ice cream parlor, a cone clutched tightly in her small hands. Her eyes sparkled with joy, and a wide smile graced her face as she savored each lick.

Unable to resist the allure of the sweet treat, Sam found himself drawn to the ice cream parlor. Though he knew he had nothing to offer in exchange for the delicacy, he couldn't help but hope that someone inside might show him an act of kindness.

Taking a deep breath, Sam entered the shop, the cool air providing respite from the scorching heat outside. The sweet aroma of various flavors filled his nostrils, momentarily overpowering his hunger. The parlor was filled with families and friends, their laughter and conversations creating a comforting backdrop to the bustling atmosphere.

Sam mustered up the courage and approached the counter, where a kind-faced woman with a gentle smile stood ready to take orders, and inquired about the cost of a simple vanilla cone.

The woman's eyes softened, sensing the young boy's weariness and desperation. She then smiled and handed him a scoop of creamy goodness without requesting payment. "Sometimes, young man, ice cream has a special way of making things a little better," she said, her voice brimming with compassion.

Sam's eyes widened with gratitude as he accepted the cone, feeling warmth spreading through his chest. He stepped aside, finding a quiet corner to savor his unexpected treat. As he took his first lick, a delicate sweetness enveloped his senses, momentarily washing away the hardships that burdened his young soul.

The flavors danced on his tongue, offering respite from the harsh realities that weighed him down.

With each lick, Sam found himself immersed in a newfound hope, a glimmer of happiness amidst the challenges he faced daily. In that moment, he realized that perhaps there was more to life than just survival. Maybe, just maybe, a simple act of kindness and the taste of ice cream could mend not only a broken heart but also ignite a spark of resilience within him.

Little did Sam know that this encounter with kindness and the power of a simple ice cream cone would become a turning point in his life. From that day onwards, he made a promise to himself. He would save whatever he could, a penny here or four there, until he had enough to buy another ice cream.

Every day, as he roamed the streets, he carefully stashed away his earnings in a secret pocket, his heart filled with the anticipation of the next encounter with the ice cream parlor and its kind-hearted owner. Despite the hardships and the relentless struggles that awaited him at every corner, he held onto the hope that a scoop of ice cream could mend his broken heart once more.

Months went by, and Sam's determination grew stronger. His collection of pennies slowly accumulated, representing not just spare change, but the unwavering spirit of a young boy yearning for a taste of joy.

PART TWO:

On an afternoon where the sun shone brightly and the world was filled with a sense of warmth, Sam made his way to the ice cream parlor, his pockets jingling with the sound of saved coins. The familiar sound of the entrance bell greeted him as he stepped inside, his eyes locking with the woman behind the counter. In that moment, recognition passed between them, a shared memory of a simpler time and a promise of a brighter future.

"Welcome back, young man," the woman greeted him, her voice carrying the weight of their shared history. "You've been missed."

Sam's face lit up with a smile as he placed his hard-earned coins on the counter, a small offering for a scoop of solace. The woman nodded approvingly and scooped a generous portion of his favorite flavor into a cone, just as she had done before. It was a simple gesture, but one that held a great deal of meaning for Sam.

"There you go," she said, her voice filled with compassion. "A special order just for you!"

Sam savored every lick, feeling his spirit revive with each taste of the sweet dessert. The ice cream acted as a beacon, reminding him that even in the darkest of times, there were still moments of sweetness to be discovered. As each taste exploded on his tongue, he recollected the woman's kindness, which instilled a sense of resilience within him.

For Sam, the ice cream had become more than just a treat. It had become a symbol of hope, a reminder that even in the face of adversity, there was still sweetness to be found in the world. As he made his way back out into the world, he carried with him the enduring hope that one day, his struggles would be replaced by a life filled with joy.

As he navigated the bustling sidewalks once more, Sam knew that life would still present him with challenges. But he also knew that he carried within him the strength to face those challenges head-on, fueled by the promise of a brighter future. The ice cream had become a source of comfort for him, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there was still sweetness to be found in the world.

And so, Sam walked the streets, his spirit uplifted by the promise of a brighter future. The ice cream had become more than a treat— it had become a symbol of resilience, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, a taste of sweetness could fuel his determination to forge ahead.

With each passing day, Sam saved his earnings penny by penny, not solely to indulge in the delightful treat again, but also to nurture the belief that one day his heart would fully mend, and he would discover happiness once more. The ice cream had become a beacon of hope for him, a reminder that even in the face of adversity, there was still sweetness to be found in the world.

As Sam continued on his journey, he still carried with him the enduring hope that one day, his struggles would be replaced by a life filled with joy, where broken hearts were mended, one scoop at a time. The ice cream had become a symbol of resilience for him, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there was still sweetness to be found in the world. And with each passing day, Sam knew that he was one step closer to that brighter future.

THE END.