My name is Billy Brown, and I am king of the hand-me-down.

I have a brother, named Sam. He is a little older than I am.

Almost everything he's ever had, has found a way to make me mad.

His old socks are full of holes. They fit my feet, but not my toes.

This old shirt that needed a mend, has elbow patches that aren't starting any trend.

The size of the pants I wear is wrong. I slip and trip on them all day long.

Wearing my brother's underwear is gross. That's the thing that I hate the most.

My shoes, too, are a hand-me-down. They're so big, I feel like a clown.

Sam's holey socks and big, stinky shoes are enough to give me the hand-me-down blues.

Wearing hand-me-downs just isn't fair. It makes me feel like Mom doesn't care.

It's my birthday today. If I get another Hand-me-down, I'll run away!

Mom is just getting home from work. She works many hours as a front desk clerk.

She is very tired, I can see. She works so hard to help support me.

"Here, Billy. This present's for you. I wish there was more that I could do."

I looked into my mom's sparkling eyes and felt much more than you could realize.

It felt great to be her son and to know she's loved me since day-one.

So, when the next hand-me-down is given to me, I'll accept it most gratefully.

Want to comment on this Short Stories? Sign up to Edit Red and you will be able to comment on Short Stories and get access to: Upload your own stories and poems, get readers and their feedback, promote your work...