A Little Courage, a Little Kindness

Chapter 1: Courage & Kindness

On the morning Jack was supposed to sell their cow, Daisy ate the shopping list.

“Well,” Jack said, pulling a soggy corner from her mouth, “at least one of us has had breakfast.”

His mother smiled, but it was a tired smile. Their flour jar was empty, their vegetable patch was dry, and Daisy had stopped giving milk.

“Take her to market,” she said. “Ask a fair price. We need enough for food and seeds.”

Jack rested his forehead against Daisy’s warm nose.

“I’ll find you someone kind,” he whispered.

Halfway down the lane, he met an old woman sitting on a wall. Her boots were muddy, and five strange beans lay in her palm.

“I’ll trade these for your cow,” she said.

Jack frowned. “We can’t eat five beans.”

“These grow rather more than supper.”