The Boy Who Chose Kindness is a poignant short play set in a bustling diner. When a young boy named Leo carefully counts his coins, he makes a surprising choice that reveals the beauty of generosity and gratitude. Through simple acts, the story reminds us that kindness doesn’t depend on age or wealth—it comes from the heart.
CHARACTERS:
LEO: A young boy, no older than ten
MARIE: The waitress
FRANK: The manager
CUSTOMERS: A mix of regulars and new faces scattered along the counter and in booths.
MAN: A new customer who enters at the end.
SCRIPT:
Setting: A bustling, vintage diner with a long counter lined with red vinyl stools. The air is filled with the clatter of dishes, the sizzle of a grill, and the soft murmur of conversations. A large, well-lit sign behind the counter reads: THE DAILY GRIND.
(The scene opens with the usual diner chaos. Marie glides along the counter, topping off coffees and calling out orders. Leo, small for his age, climbs onto an empty stool with a small backpack clutched in his lap.)
MARIE: Hey there, little man. What can I get for you?
LEO: H-hi. Can I see a menu, please?
MARIE: Absolutely.
(Marie slides a laminated menu across the counter to him. It’s well-worn, with the “special” of the day scribbled on a small chalkboard insert.)
MARIE: Take your time. I’ll be right back.
(Marie turns to take an order from another customer. Leo opens the menu, his eyes scanning the options. He carefully reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small handful of change. He lays the coins out on the counter, his brow furrowed in concentration as he counts them. He then sweeps them back into his pocket with a soft jingle.)
LEO: (Hesitantly) Excuse me, miss?
MARIE: (Without turning around, she wipes down the counter with a cloth) Yeah?
LEO: Is this the price for a cheeseburger and fries? It says… “Cheeseburger Deluxe.”
(Marie glances at the menu, then back at the boy’s earnest face.)
MARIE: That’s right, honey. Two-fifty. Comes with our famous seasoned fries.
(Leo nods and reaches into his pocket again. He counts the coins one more time, his lips moving silently. A small sigh escapes him as he puts them away.)
LEO: Oh.
(He continues to stare at the menu. Marie, sensing his hesitation, gives him a kind smile as she fills a glass with ice water for another customer.)
LEO: What about just the cheeseburger? No fries.
MARIE: (Her tone is gentle) Just the burger? That’s two dollars.
(Leo pulls out the change again, his fingers meticulously sorting through the coins. A small, satisfied nod. He looks up at Marie, a spark of hope in his eyes.)
LEO: I’ll have the cheeseburger, then. And just a glass of water, please.
MARIE: Coming right up.
(Leo carefully places two dollar bills on the counter. Marie picks them up and heads toward the kitchen. She returns a few minutes later with a steaming cheeseburger on a small plate and a tall glass of water with a straw.)
MARIE: One cheeseburger, plain and simple. Enjoy!
(Leo’s eyes light up. He takes a big, happy bite. Marie moves on to her other duties, chatting with customers. Leo eats his burger slowly, savoring every bite. When he’s done, he pulls the rest of the change from his pocket—a few quarters, dimes, and nickels—and places it next to his empty plate. He slides off the stool, gives a small wave to Marie, and heads for the door.)
MARIE: Thanks for coming in! Come back and see us again soon!
LEO: I will! Thank you!
(He smiles and exits the diner. Marie approaches the counter to clean up his spot. She sees the small pile of coins next to the empty plate. Her brow furrows in confusion, then a soft smile spreads across her face as she picks up the change—exactly fifty cents.)
MARIE: Oh. I get it.
(Frank, the manager, walks up behind her, wiping his hands on his apron.)
FRANK: Everything okay over here? You look like you just won the lottery.
MARIE: (Smiling, she holds up the coins) Remember that little boy who was just here?
FRANK: The one who only ordered a burger? Yeah. What about him?
MARIE: He had enough money for the whole meal. The cheeseburger AND the fries. But he didn’t have enough for a tip. So, he ordered just the burger so he could leave me the rest of his money.
(Frank’s gruff expression softens as he looks toward the diner door.)
FRANK: That’s… something. You must have given him good service.
MARIE: It’s not about that. It’s not just about good service, Frank. He was… generous.
(A new customer—a serious-looking man—sits at the stool Leo just vacated. Frank catches Marie’s eye, a silent command in his stare.)
FRANK: (Lowers his voice) Back to work.
MARIE: Right.
(She puts the coins in her pocket, picks up a menu, and walks toward the new customer, a new warmth in her smile.)
MARIE: Welcome to The Daily Grind, sir. Would you like to try our special today?
In the end, Leo teaches everyone in the diner a quiet but powerful lesson: that even the smallest gesture of thoughtfulness can leave a lasting impression. His choice demonstrates that generosity is not about the amount we give, but rather the love and intention behind it.
The End
Author: Unknown
Adapted by: K I D S I N C O
Moral of the story: True generosity comes from the heart, not from how much you have.
Moral Values:
- Generosity – Giving to others even when you have little.
- Gratitude – Appreciating kindness and service.
- Selflessness – Thinking of others before yourself.
- Compassion – Understanding the value of small gestures.
- Humility – Showing kindness quietly without seeking recognition.
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