The morning sun struggled to pierce thick clouds, casting a muted light over the city. In the shadows of a half-finished building, a boy named Benjamin stirred awake. Wrapped in a thin, tattered blanket, he opened his tired eyes to the familiar sight of cracked walls and dust-strewn floors. This was his home — a makeshift shelter that offered little more than a roof. The cold wind whispered through the gaps, and his stomach growled with hunger.
Benjamin was only seven, yet life had already taught him harsh lessons. He reached into his bag, carefully unwrapping a stale piece of bread scavenged from the market the day before. Hard and crumbling as it was, it felt like treasure. Each bite stirred memories of his mother, who had fought tirelessly to provide for him even as her own health faltered.
“Good morning, Mama,” he whispered softly. She had passed just months earlier, leaving him alone in a world determined to crush his spirit. Her gentle hands, her warm voice, the sacrifices she made — all now existed only in echoes.
In that quiet moment, Benjamin made a promise: he would become a doctor. No child should suffer the way he had, losing a parent to poverty and neglect. With that dream burning in his heart, he scoured the streets each day, collecting discarded books, worn notebooks, and scraps of paper — each a stepping stone toward his future.
As the sun climbed higher, Benjamin ventured into the bustling streets. Honking cars and chattering crowds filled the air. He wore an oversized jacket, one torn sleeve flapping in the breeze. His most treasured possession was a crossbody bag, a gift from his mother, filled with the remnants of his education — broken pencils, faded notebooks, and scraps of paper.
That day, he made his way to St. Peter’s School, a place he had long admired from afar. Slipping through a broken section of the fence, he stayed unnoticed, careful not to draw attention. Inside, the schoolyard buzzed with children in crisp uniforms, their laughter ringing like music. Benjamin watched, a silent observer, heart aching with longing.
