“What’s in the red box, sweetheart?”
“Something special, grandpa. I saw a man on television carrying a red box. People said it had very important things inside.”
Grandpa was growing very curious.
“Can you keep a secret, grandpa?”
Grandpa nodded so the contents were revealed one at a time.
“A photo of us all together to show our family, a drawing of a heart to show our love, smiles for us when we’re sad and cuddles for us to keep us warm.”
The grandchild paused, “Grandpa, what do you think was in the television man’s red box?”
“Nothing as important as yours, sweetheart.”
Schools and students have permission to use this graphic for non-commercial, educational purposes.
Ross's Writing Blog 
annahalford (@anhalf)
March 21, 2012 at 01:24
Just delightful. Says it all- those are the things that really matter when it is all said and done 🙂
Ross Mannell
March 21, 2012 at 08:09
Thanks for the comment.
The love of a family is more important than any budget handed down by a UK Chancellor or Aussie Treasurer. 🙂
Delft
March 22, 2012 at 02:26
How true! and how easily we forget it.
Ross Mannell
March 22, 2012 at 07:48
Thanks for the comment.
🙂 There are things in life we see as important and there are things with true importance.
Alison Green
March 22, 2012 at 05:47
Delicious. I love my conversations with my oldest granddaughter. At two and a half, she is learning how much fun talking can be! I love this line ‘ Grandpa was growing very curious.’ – this Granny would be getting curious too.
Ross Mannell
March 22, 2012 at 07:50
Thanks for the comment.
After 30+ years involved with teaching children and child care, some of my fondest memories are encounters with children reminding us what’s important. 🙂
Bod for tea
March 22, 2012 at 17:40
Out of the mouth of babes… never a truer word spoken 😀
Ross Mannell
March 22, 2012 at 23:43
Thanks for the comment.
Despite their age, children at times can remind us of what’s important. 🙂
enterprisegran
March 22, 2012 at 21:09
Lovely. A little girl with the right priorities. If only politicians were as selfless!
Ross Mannell
March 22, 2012 at 23:46
Thanks for the comment.
The innocence of a child doesn’t tend to stay with us as adults. Perhaps the politicians could be reminded. I can remember a class sitting in the visitors’ gallery in the Australian Parliament. On leaving they were asked their impressions. They felt if they behaved like the politicians did when they were in class they would be in big trouble. 🙂
Out of the mouths of babes…
Sandra
March 22, 2012 at 22:05
A really charming interpretation. Thank you, enjoyed this.
Ross Mannell
March 22, 2012 at 23:49
Thanks for the comment.
Years of working with children leaves me with many good memories of their ways of doing things. Their keenness and simple pleasures were always refreshing.
Susan Mann (@susankmann)
March 24, 2012 at 02:22
Out of the mouths of babes, excellent.
Ross Mannell
March 31, 2012 at 22:43
Thanks for the comment.
Children can cut through to what’s important at times. 🙂
Let's CUT the Crap!
March 25, 2012 at 02:15
Absolutely delightful. I loved this story.
Ross Mannell
March 26, 2012 at 22:21
Thanks for the comment.
I always liked the simple logic of young children trying to explain in terms they can understand.
Michael Fishman
March 27, 2012 at 01:12
Very sweet. Made me think of the picture I have on my shelf of my grandfather and I.
Ross Mannell
March 31, 2012 at 22:41
Thanks for the comment.
It doesn’t take much to spark fond memories when we have cared for children. 🙂