One pleasant New Year morning, Edward got up and dressed himself in a hurry. He wanted to be the first to wish a happy New Year.
He looked in every room, and shouted "Happy New Year" to every one of his family. Then he ran into the street to repeat it to those he met. When he came back, his father gave him two new dollars. His face lighted up as he took them. He had wished for a long time to buy some nice books.
As he ran down the street with a light heart to the bookshop, he saw a poor German family—the father, mother and three children walking in the cold wind.
“I wish you a happy New Year,' said Edward, as he was happily passing on. The man shook his head. “You do not belong to this country?” asked Edward. The man shook his head again, because he could not understand or speak English. But he pointed to his mouth, and to the children, he seemed to say, “These little ones have had nothing to eat for a long time.”
Edward quickly understood that these people were poor and in trouble. He took out his dollars and gave one to the man, and the other to his wife. They said something in their language, which meant, “Thank you very much, and we will remember you forever.”
