Perhaps he might need the money

For some unforeseen emergency.

It wasn't much, but it was all he had. 

No sooner had the man and his young daughter

Stepped inside the five and dime but what

She smelled the food and became hungry. 

But the man said I might not have enough money. 

What could be more important than

Satisfying his little girl's hunger pangs?

This was that unexpected moment!

He jingled the small change in his pocket,

Something all his family was used to hearing. 

Without thinking further, the man placed the order. 

Soon the little girl was munching and sipping on the feast

Of burger, fries, and coke placed before her,

And her daddy stood and waited while she ate. 

Realizing she was eating alone, the little girl asked,

Daddy, aren't you going to eat with me?

He simply told her he wasn't hungry,

But the little girl knew the real reason. 

Thus, unselfish love was displayed that day—

Enough to last the little girl the rest of her life. 

Now, she's seventy-nine and still cries

When telling others of her daddy's love. 

©Copyright 2016 By David Lee Thompson