The Better Lloyd Short story By Inigo Bautista

 

One day, there was a boy whose name is Lloyd. He had a messy hair, very stinky and always late for school. He never took a bath every day, did not listen to his parents who their names were Margret and Benjamin.

 

He did not do his homework on time. When the parents gave him food to eat like veggies, fruits and a lot healthier foods that were good for his body, Lloyd rejected it and preferred fast food. So, they answered if he would be a good boy, we would give him fast food. His parents told him always to clean his room and put his clothes in his closet and the dirty ones in the hamper. Lloyd’s room was a mess. There were clothes on the floor, his LEGOs were everywhere, and cockroaches were making a home in his clothes.

 

Even if his mom put a schedule, he said that it is his room, and he could do whatever he wanted because nobody should tell him what he should do! So, he slammed the door and locked it. When he was misbehaving like in this case, his parents put him outside of the house which had blue wooden walls with wooden doors, with some white posts at the front with lights outside, it had a gray roofs and plants around it. His parents would put some pillows and a blanket for him to sleep and learn his lesson.

 

He thought he was smart which gave him a chance to escape. He took his bike and ran from his house. The parents planned by sleeping with him after few minutes and found out he was gone. While Lloyd was riding his bike, he got hungry, so he stole the food from the hotdog stand. He was watching and laughing at the vendor who was super angry.

 

After that, he was daydreaming about how cool he would be as a king and his parent would respect them like drawing an uno reverse card till he ran into a poor person at the middle of the road.

 

He had dirty clothes, black skin with a grocery bag that he dropped the food on the ground. Lloyd said to watch it grumpily.  “Sorry, I just wanted to look for food.” The poor boy replied. “Just go to the supermarket and get some.” Lloyd answered. “I don’t have money.” The poor boy said. “Get money from your parents!” Lloyd shouted. “I don’t have parents, they died when I was young. I am an orphan. I wanted to be like you. You are blessed because you have almost everything you need. I cannot even tie my own shoes, solve math equations and lots more. I just wish I have parents to help me.”  The poor boy explained.

 

Lloyd questioned,” Where’s your tiny home?” “I will show you, follow me.” the poor boy replied.

 

So, Lloyd followed him. He followed the boy to a tiny house with a blanket, a dirty pillow, food which are eaten and leftovers, signs on a cardboard saying things like: please spare 1 or 2 $ for a better shelter and graffiti on the walls under a bridge. “This is where I live with no money, no house and no parents.” The boy explained. “Sorry for shouting at you.” Lloyd said.

 

In that time, Lloyd realized his mistakes and that he was blessed. The poor person introduced himself, his name was Miles. So, they became friends.

 

Miles showed Lloyd his skills. Miles loved to paint and craft toys. Lloyd gave him ideas to earn some money by painting and crafting toys. He was amazed that he could paint even if his canvas were a cardboard, and Miles gave it to him for free.

 

“You have made my day, so I give this to you.” Miles earned a few bucks from selling his paintings and making toys out of used dirty slippers. He made a Bumblebee from Transformers, jeepney and other vehicles, Wonder Woman, a Thor, and Hulk. He also made an Iron man and got help from Lloyd by painting red and yellow on the slippers.

 

Days later, Miles had enough money to buy food. He wished that his parents were still alive so they could eat together as a family. So, Miles visited his parents’ grave with Lloyd. He thanked his parents for looking after him even if they were already in heaven.

 

Lloyd realized how much he missed his own family too. He thought that his parents were already worried about him. So, he got on to his bike and ride as fast as he could. He pedaled faster before the stop light turned on.

 

He finally arrived at his home, he came crashing to the door and knocked quickly, once the parents opened the door, he hugged them tightly and was sorry for running away. His parents forgave him. His parents were happy that he was back, and he became a better boy.

 

Lloyd started to tell his parents about his new friend, Miles. He told them was a poor boy and became friends with him during his getaway.

 

Lloyd and Miles would still have a chance to bond. During the weekends, he taught Miles how to ride his bike. Lloyd also bought a book about arts and crafts, and he loved it.

 

Years had passed, Lloyd became a grown up and extraordinarily rich person, and visited Miles in his new apartment and place. “My parents were proud of me all the way from heaven.” Miles said. Lloyd was amazed with his new furniture, wooden like floors, his beautiful paintings that have new things that he learnt from the book and D.I.Y sculptures made of slippers. Lloyd introduced Miles to his parents. So, they had dinner together and played their favorite game Uno. They talked about how they met, how they created their toy company, their good and happy experiences in the past which they would treasure forever.

                               

 

 

                         THE END