There was a beautiful girl. This girl was made all the prettier by the fact that she did not think she was beautiful. This girl lived outside of a small village. The village was full of older people, mostly retired. Every day, the girl walked four round-trip miles to take care of the older people. She brought warm meals, blankets, and stories. The people loved her and repaid her for her kindness with money. The girl, being humble, took only what she needed and nothing more. Every day, because of her kindness and humility, the girl grew more beautiful.
One day, a strange man moved to the village. He was younger than most of the others there: more active, darker hair, and lighter skin. He smiled often and laughed loudly. The people of the town came to love his humor, but no one knew where he was from. No one bothered to ask.
The girl, however, was drawn to the strange man, and asked him many questions. Though never entirely answering them, the man always smiled and countered her queries with a smile and another question. The girl loved talking to the man.
One day, she asked the question no one else would.
"What is your name, sir?" she asked.
The man grew suddenly quiet and solemn. Quickly the girl--Lizza was her name--apologized. "Sir, if I have offended you, I am sorry. I meant nothing by my question."
The man smiled at her, but his eyes were sad. "Lizza," he said, "you have brought me memories of a time that I wished to forget. I was once the husband of a girl...so like yourself. I loved her, but she had no experience with the world, and when I gave her the option, she left me." He sighed. "Lizza, darling, I do not want you to be like her. I want you to know who you are. Do me one favor."
"Anything!" She exclaimed.
The man walked to his desk and, retrieving a key from his deepest pocket, unlocked a drawer. From the drawer he pulled a small metal box. This, too, he unlocked. He handed Lizza the contents. She stared at it in wonder and disbelief--$20,000!
"Why are you giving me this?!" she wondered aloud.
The man smiled again. "My girl, go into the world. Leave this village. Go learn the ways of people your own age. Gather experience. Leave! That is what I ask."
Lizza lowered her head and looked at the money in her hand. She had promised the man; she would keep her promise, but she already regretted having to leave the village.
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