Two years ago at The Kansas City Renaissance Festival in front of the "Braiden Maidens" shop near front gate, I was carving for a set of three teenagers.
While I carved the flowers, two children, maybe 10 or 11 came and stood behind the three teens to watch.
(Mom and Dad were standing further back watching the procedings.)

Each of the two observers held a small fistful of money and they were discussing what they were going to do with their little stash of money.
"I think I will get (this), and if I have enough left over I would like to ride (that)." was the discussion.
The planning was very specific with the emphasis on stretching the money as far as it would go. It would have made any parent proud to hear their child plan the use of money that well.

Each of the teens I had given a flower to so far had given me a donation, making it seem to the observer that the flowers cost a dollar or more.

As I began to carve for the last of the three teens, I looked past her to the two children to the rear who had been planning their money spending for the day and asked "would you like one?".

"How much?" was the return question.

I told them that they were free. Both of them took a step forward.

As I gave the flower to the last of the three teens, she handed me a dollar and I told her "Thank you mi-lady, donations go to Youth In Need in St. Charles." as I always had done.

Then it happened.

BOTH of the children - without hesitation - pulled a dollar from their little handfull of cash and held it out to donate for the flower they were about to get.

I teared up.
I did not want to take that money from those children.
Their spending was planned for the day, and I was taking something away from that.

But I could not refuse it either.

Because it taught them something and God knows, it taught me something.

I had to take a break to go have a cry behind the music stage next to the "Braiden Maidens" shop.

That was 2004.

This year, first Sunday, 2006, they did it to me agin. Not far from where they had such an impact on me last time - they did it again.
"May we have a flower?"
"Yes"
And out came a dollar from each.

Bless their hearts.

I cried again.

brother william