Winter Blues Concert
“Oh I’m strumming my guitar to a lonely beat,” sang Billy Troll. “I’ve got a bad case of the winter blues.”
“Oh Billy,” said Dianne, his wife. “What a wonderful idea for a concert!”
Billy stopped strumming his guitar and sat looking strangely at his wife.
“I don’t know what you are talking about,” he said to her.
“Well,” said Dianne. “Remember how we were talking last night about how boring January and February is because it is so cold and miserable and people are depressed because Christmas is now over.”
“Yes,” said Billy. “I remember.”
“Okay,” said Dianne. “Then why don’t we have a Winter Blues Concert. We could hold it outside and have bonfires and a cook-out.”
“And we could have sleigh rides too,” said Billy, now understanding what Dianne was talking about.
“Yes,” said Dianne. “This is a wonderful idea. Why don’t we have it as a benefit concert for the homeless?”
“Why don’t we invite the homeless too?” asked Billy.
“That is a wonderful idea,” said Dianne.
Dianne was busy writing down all the ideas that they had just come up with. She was very excited about the whole idea.
That next week both Billy and Dianne worked very hard at getting everything arranged. Dianne ordered huge tents and looked after getting the food and sleigh rides organized. Billy spent most of his time inviting any homeless person he found.
“Gee I don’t think Old Murray will be able to make it,” said one homeless person to Billy.
“Who is Old Murray?” asked Billy. “And why can’t he make it to the concert?”
“He’s really sick,” said the homeless person, a tear forming in the corner of his eye. “He’s in the hospital.”
“I see,” said Billy.
Billy visited the hospital that afternoon and asked to see Old Murray.
“The homeless Old Murray,” said the nurse, puzzled.
“Yes,” said Billy.
“Right this way,” said the nurse, leading Billy to Old Murray’s room.
Billy was shocked at what he saw on the hospital bed. He saw a frail old man, who looked like death had warmed over him. Billy took the old man’s hand in his and held onto it. The old man, feeling the warmth on his hand, woke up and looked up at Billy, a big smile on his face. Just then the doctor came into the room.
“Are you his relative?” asked the doctor.
“No,” said Billy. “Just a good friend.”
“I see,” said the doctor.
“Is he going to make it?” asked Billy.
“I’m afraid not,” said the doctor. “He’s pretty frail. He needs medication but he can’t afford it.”
“Listen,” said Billy. “You give this man any medication that he needs and give the bill to me. I’ll take care of it for him.”
“That is mighty nice of you sir,” said the doctor.
Billy went home that night and told Dianne about Old Murray.
“How many more homeless people are left to die in hospitals because they can’t afford medication?” cried Dianne.
“Exactly why we are going to donate the proceeds of our concert to people like Old Murray,” said Billy.
Dianne gave Billy a great big hug and kiss.
“You are wonderful Billy,” she cried.
Old Murray was well enough to attend the Winter Blues Concert and he had a wonderful time. The concert turned out to be a huge success. Billy and Dianne were able to raise over $10,000 and they donated every cent of it to help the homeless get proper medication. The concert was such a success, in fact, that Billy and Dianne decided it would be an annual event.
Moral of this Story:
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