The smile seemed to make him feel better.
He remembered past kindnesses of a friend
and wrote him a thank-you letter.
The friend was so pleased with the thank-you
that he left a large tip after lunch.
The waitress, surprised by the size of the tip,
bet the whole thing on a hunch.
The next day she picked up her winnings,
and gave part to a man on the street.
The man on the street was grateful;
for two days he'd had nothing to eat.
After he finished his dinner,
he left for his small dingy room.
(He didn't know at that moment
that he might be facing his doom.)
On the way he picked up a shivering puppy
and took him home to get warm.
The puppy was very greatful
to be in out of the storm.
That night the house caught on fire.
The puppy barked the alarm.
He barked 'til he woke the whole household
and saved everybody from harm.
One of the boys that he rescued,
grew up to be President.
All this because of a simple smile
that hadn't cost a cent.
This poem was writen by Barbara Hauck, age 13 and submitted to the Chicken Soup For The Teenage Soul I, which was published in 1997.
Other Books
Chicken Soup For The Soul Books
Somebody Should Have Taught Him
Not Your Typical Prom Night
Last Wish
HOME