A Penny

An old man met a young boy on the street.

What do you have in your hand?
Said the man
To the boy.
What do you have in your hand?

It's a penny I hold in my hand.
Said the boy
To the man.
It's a penny I hold in my hand.

What are you going to buy?
Said the man
To the boy.
What are you going to buy?

Some candy or gum or a toy.
Said the boy
To the man.
Some candy or gum or a toy.

Is that what you get for a cent?
Said the man
To the boy.
Is that what you get for a cent?

I can't buy very much more.
Said the boy
To the man.
I can't buy very much more.

The old man scratched his chin.

I believe I see something more there.
Said the man
To the boy.
I believe I see something more there.

I believe that your eyes are not right.
Said the boy
To the man.
I believe that your eyes are not right.

It's magic you hold in your hand.
Said the man
To the boy.
It's magic you hold in your hand.

Just copper is all that I see.
Said the boy
To the man.
Just copper is all that I see.

It's a key that you hold in your hand.
Said the man
To the boy.
It's a key that you hold in your hand.

A key to what?
Said the boy.

It's a key to open your dreams.
Said the man
To the boy.
It's a key to open your dreams.

I'd rather have candy and toys.
Said the boy
To the man.
I'd rather have candy and toys.

You can have all of those that you dream.
Said the man
To the boy.
You can have all of those that you dream.

How long is that going to take?
Said the boy
To the man.
How long is that going to take?

Could take years or months or a moment.
Said the man
To the boy.
Could take years or months or a moment.

There is candy for sale over there.
Said the boy
To the man.
There is candy for sale over there.

This is very true.
Said the man.

And then he said,

If you use all your magic and keys
To acquire things you do not need
A day will come when you will find
The magic has run out of time.
And you will be up to your knees
In misery, sorrows and greed.
So be wise in how your apply
Magic and keys to doors passing by.

The boy pondered this, looking at the penny.

It's so small, it can't become much.
Said the boy
To the man.
It's so small, it can't become much.

It's greatness lies in your own heart.
Said the man
To the boy.
It's greatness lies in your own heart.

And time will show it to me?
Said the boy
To the man.
And time will show it to me?

As surely as night follows day.
Said the man
To the boy.
As surely as night follows day.

What magic can happen from this?
Said the boy
To the man.
What magic can happen from this?

Feed the poor, heal the sick, and show love.
Said the man
To the boy.
Feed the poor, heal the sick, and show love.

Even with something so small?
Said the boy
To the man.
Even with something so small?

A great oak comes from a small seed.
Said the man
To the boy.
A great oak comes from a small seed.

Can a penny grow into great wealth?
Said the boy
To the man.
Can a penny grow into great wealth?

If you treat it with wisdom and care.
Said the man
To the boy.
If you treat it with wisdom and care.

My neighbor is sick and is poor.
Said the boy
To the man.
My neighbor is sick and is poor.

Then rejoice because magic is near.
Said the man
To the boy.
Then rejoice because magic is near.

The old man smiled and walked away.

I must see if this penny can grow.
Said the boy
To himself.
I must go see how it grows.