27/07/2025
Sir, today is my mom’s birthday… I want to buy flowers, but I don’t have enough money… I bought the boy a bouquet. And some time later, when I came to the grave, I saw this bouquet there.
When Pasha was not yet five years old, his world collapsed. His mother was gone. He stood in the corner of the room, frozen in confusion — what is happening? Why is the house full of strangers? Who are they? Why is everyone so quiet, so strange, speaking in whispers and avoiding eye contact?
The boy didn’t understand why no one was smiling. Why they told him, “Hold on, little one,” and hugged him, but did it as if he had lost something important. But he simply hadn’t seen his mother.
His father was somewhere far away all day. He didn’t come over once, didn’t hug him, didn’t say a word. Just sat aside, empty and distant. Pasha approached the coffin, looked at his mother for a long time. She was nothing like she used to be — no warmth, no smile, no lullabies at night. Pale, cold, frozen. It was frightening. And the boy no longer dared to come closer.
Without his mother, everything became different. Gray. Empty. Two years later, his father remarried. The new woman — Galina — did not become part of his world. Rather, she seemed irritated by him. She grumbled about everything, finding fault as if looking for a reason to be angry. And the father was silent. Didn’t defend. Didn’t intervene.
Every day Pasha felt the pain he hid inside. The pain of loss. The longing. And with every day — he wished more and more to return to the life where his mother was alive.
Today was a special day — his mother’s birthday. In the morning, Pasha woke up with one thought: he needed to go to her. To the grave. To bring flowers. White calla lilies — her favorite. He remembered how they were in her hands in old photos, how they shone next to her smile.
But where to get the money? He decided to ask his father.
— Dad, can I have a little money? I really need it…
Before he could explain, Galina rushed out of the kitchen:
— What’s this now?! You’re already demanding money from your father?! Do you even understand how hard it is to earn a salary?
The father looked up, tried to stop her:
— Galina, wait. He hasn’t even said why yet. Son, tell me what you need?
— I want to buy flowers for mom. White calla lilies. Today is her birthday…
Galina snorted, folding her arms across her chest:
— Oh, come on! Flowers! Money for them! Maybe take her to a restaurant too? Take something from the flowerbed — that’ll be your bouquet!
— There aren’t any there, — Pasha replied quietly but firmly. — They only sell them in stores.
The father looked thoughtfully at his son, then shifted his gaze to his wife:
— Galina, go get lunch ready. I’m hungry.
The woman snorted unhappily and disappeared into the kitchen. The father returned to his newspaper. And Pasha understood: he wouldn’t get the money. No more words were said.
He quietly went to his room, took out an old piggy bank. Counted the coins. Not much. But maybe enough?
Without wasting time, he ran out of the house and headed to the flower shop. From afar, he saw the pure white calla lilies in the window. So bright, almost magical. He stopped, holding his breath.
Then he decisively walked inside.
— What do you want? — the woman seller asked unfriendly, appraising the boy. — You probably got the wrong place. We don’t have toys or sweets here. Only flowers.
— It’s not for nothing… I really want to buy. Calla lilies… How much is the bouquet?
The seller named the price. Pasha took all his coins from his pocket. But the amount barely covered half.
— Please… — he pleaded. — I can work for it! Come every day, help: clean, dust, wash floors… Just let me have this bouquet on credit…
— Are you even normal? — the woman snorted with clear irritation. — You think I’m a millionaire to give away flowers? Get out! Or I’ll call the police — we don’t tolerate begging here!
But Pasha wasn’t going to give up. He needed these flowers today. He begged again:
— I’ll pay everything back! I promise! I’ll earn whatever is needed! Please, understand…
— Oh, look at this little actor! — the seller shouted so loud that passersby began to turn. — Where are your parents? Maybe it’s time to call social services? Why are you wandering here alone? Last warning — get out before I call!
At that moment, a man approached the shop. He happened to witness the scene.
He entered the flower shop just as the woman was yelling at the upset child. It touched him — he hated injustice, especially towards children.
— Why are you yelling like that? — he asked the seller sternly. — You’re shouting at him like he stole something. But he’s just a boy.
— And who are you anyway? — the woman snapped. — If you don’t know what’s going on, don’t interfere. He almost stole the bouquet!
— Yeah, sure, “almost stole,” — the man raised his voice. — You attacked him like a hunter on prey! He needs help, and you’re threatening him. Have you lost all conscience?
He turned to Pasha, who stood in the corner, shrinking and wiping tears from his cheeks.
— Hi, little friend. My name is Yura. Tell me why you’re upset? You wanted to buy flowers but didn’t have enough money?
Pasha sobbed, wiped his nose with his sleeve, and in a quiet trembling voice said:
— I wanted to buy calla lilies… For mom… She loved them very much… But three years ago, she left… Today is her birthday… I wanted to go to the cemetery and bring her flowers…
Yura felt his heart tighten inside. The boy’s story moved him deeply. He crouched down next to him...
Continued in the comments👇 💬
