One dollar and eleven cents

[june72]

A little girl went to her bedroom and pulled a glass jelly jar
From its hiding place in the closet. She poured the change out on the
Floor and counted it carefully. Three times, even. The total had to be
Exactly perfect. No chance here for mistakes. Carefully placing the coins
Back in the jar and twisting on the cap, she slipped out the back door
And made her way 6 blocks to Rexall's Drug Store with the big red Indian Chief
Sign above the door. She waited patiently for the pharmacist to give
Her some attention but he was too busy at this moment. Tess twisted her
feet to make a scuffing noise. Nothing. She cleared her throat with the most
Disgusting sound she could muster No good. Finally she took a quarter from
Her jar and banged it on the glasscounter. That did it! And what do you want?" the pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of voice.

"I'm talking to my brother from Chicago whom I haven't seen in
ages," he said without waiting for a reply to his question.
Well, I want to talk to you about my brother," Tess answered back
In the same annoyed tone. "He's really, really sick... and I want to buy
A miracle." ''I beg your pardon?" said the pharmacist.
His name is Andrew and he has something bad growing inside his
Head and my Daddy says only a miracle can save him now. So how much does a
Miracle cost?" We don't sell miracles here, little girl. I'm sorry but I can't
Help you," the pharmacist said, softening a little.
"Listen, I have the money to pay for it. If it isn't enough, I
Will get the rest. Just tell me how much it costs."
The pharmacist's brother was a well dressed man. He stooped down
And asked the little girl, "What kind of a miracle does your brother need?"
I don't know," Tess replied with her eyes welling up. "I just
Know he's really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation. But my Daddy
can't pay for it, so I want to use my money."
How much do you have?" asked the man from Chicago.
One dollar and eleven cents," Tess answered barely audibly. "And
it's all the money I have, but I can get some more if I need to."
Well, what a coincidence," smiled the man. "A dollar and eleven
cents---the exact price of a miracle for little brothers
" He took her money in one hand and with the other hand he
Grasped her mitten and said "Take me to where you live. I want to see your
Brother and meet your parents. Let's see if I have the miracle you need."

That well dressed man was Dr. Carlton Armstrong, a surgeon,
specializing in neuro-surgery. The operation was completed without charge and it
wasn't long until Andrew was home again and doing well. Mom and Dad were
Happily talking about the chain of events that had led them to this
place. That surgery," her Mom whispered. "was a real miracle. I wonder
How much it would have cost?" Tess smiled. She knew exactly how much a miracle
cost...one dollar and eleven cents ..plus the faith of a little child.