The Boy Who Fed the World

This is a true story about a man named Mark, who learned that one person really can make a big difference.

When Mark was in eighth grade, something sad happened. Some bigger kids were mean to him at school, and he ran all the way home through the cold snow with tears on his cheeks. He felt small and alone.

But there was a kind young man at Mark's church named Brian. Brian saw something special in Mark that Mark couldn't see in himself yet. Brian invited Mark to church camp. He helped Mark believe he could go to college—something no one in Mark's family had ever done before. Brian was like a gardener, planting seeds of kindness in Mark's heart.

Years went by. Mark grew up and traveled far away to help people. Sometimes things were really hard, and he wanted to give up. But he remembered how Brian had believed in him, and he kept trying.

One day, when Mark was all grown up, he sat in a big meeting room and learned something amazing. There was a special peanut butter that could help children who didn't have enough food to eat. If these children ate it three times a day for six weeks, almost all of them would get healthy and strong again!

Mark thought, "Somebody should help those children." Then he had an even bigger thought: "Maybe that somebody is me."

So Mark did something brave. He built a factory that makes this special food. Now, millions of packets go to children all around the world who need them. Children who were hungry and sick are growing healthy and strong, playing and laughing and learning—just like you.

Mark says that everyone is hungry for something. Some people are hungry for food. Some are hungry for kindness. Some are hungry for someone to believe in them, just like Brian believed in him.

The little church where Brian worked closed down long ago. But the seeds Brian planted? They grew into something beautiful that helps children everywhere.

As you close your eyes tonight, remember: even small acts of kindness can grow into something wonderful. You never know when your kindness might help someone change the world.

Sweet dreams, little one. Tomorrow is a new day to plant seeds of your own.