A Grandson’s Request: An Uplifting Story “Gran, I need to ask you something—it’s really important. I need a lot of money.” He arrived in the evening—nervous, restless. Normally, Daniel popped round to see Lilian twice a week, happy to fetch her groceries or pop out the bins. Once, he even fixed her old sofa. Always calm, always confident—never like this. Lilian always worried—it was a strange world out there. “Daniel, love, can I ask—why do you need the money? And how much is ‘a lot’?” Her voice was steady, but her heart thumped. Daniel was her eldest grandson—a good lad, kind at heart. He’d finished school a year ago, working part-time while studying. His parents hadn’t voiced any concerns, but why would he need so much cash? “I can’t say yet, Gran, but I promise I’ll pay you back—just not all at once…” “You know I’m only on my pension,” said Lilian, torn, “How much exactly?” “One thousand pounds.” “Why not ask your parents?” Lilian asked absently, already guessing his answer. Daniel’s dad—her son-in-law—was strict, expected children to solve their own problems and not stick their noses where they didn’t belong. “They wouldn’t help,” Daniel replied, confirming her thoughts with a sigh. Had he got mixed up in something serious? Would giving him the money only make it worse? But what if not giving it made things even harder? She studied him with concern. “Gran, it’s nothing bad, I swear. I’ll pay you back in three months—promise! Don’t you trust me?” She probably should lend it, even if he never returned it. There ought to be someone in his life who has his back; someone he can trust—so he never loses faith in people. She did have that money set aside for emergencies. Perhaps this was the one. After all, Daniel had come to her. Funerals could wait—life was for the living. It’s family—family you must trust. They say if you lend money, be prepared to lose it. The young can be unpredictable… but Daniel had never let her down. “All right, I’ll lend you the money for three months, as you said. But wouldn’t it be better for your parents to know?” “Gran, you know I love you, and I always keep my promises. If you can’t help I’ll try to get a loan—after all, I do work.” The next day, Lilian went to the bank, withdrew the money and handed it to Daniel. He beamed, gave her a grateful hug, and dashed off: “Thank you, Gran, you’re the best. I’ll pay you back—I promise!” Lilian returned home, brewed herself a cup of tea, and pondered. So many times in her life she’d desperately needed help. Every time, someone came through. But now, these days, everyone looked out for themselves. Times were tough. A week later, Daniel popped in again, cheerful. “Gran, here’s the first bit back—I got an advance at work. Oh, and can I bring a friend round tomorrow?” “Of course, love. I’ll bake your favourite—poppyseed cake.” She smiled, relieved—whatever it was, she’d soon know. Daniel came that evening. Not alone. A slender young woman stood by his side. “Gran, this is Lisa. Lisa, meet my lovely Gran, Lilian.” Lisa blushed, “Hello, thank you so much, Mrs Taylor!” “Come in, both of you,” Lilian relaxed—they seemed good together. They sat and chatted over tea and cake. “Gran, I couldn’t tell you before. Lisa’s mum became suddenly very ill; there was no one else to help and Lisa was so worried—she made me promise not to explain why I needed the money. But it’s over now—her mum’s had the operation. The doctors say she’ll recover.” Daniel looked at Lisa, squeezing her hand. “Thank you—you’re so kind. I can’t thank you enough,” Lisa said, turning away to hide her tears. “I told you, everything’s all right, don’t cry,” Daniel smiled, “Come on, Gran, we’d better be off—getting late.” “Take care, dears, goodnight—may everything work out for you.” As they left, Lilian crossed herself (old habits die hard). Her grandson had grown up—a solid young man. She was glad she trusted him. It wasn’t really about the money; it brought them closer. Two months on, Daniel repaid her in full. “Just think, Gran. The doctor said if we hadn’t acted so quickly, it could have ended much worse. I didn’t know how I could help Lisa. I realise now—there’s always someone willing to step up when things are hard. And I’ll always look after you, Gran—you’re the best in the world!” Lilian ruffled his hair, as she had when he was little. “All right, off you go—and bring Lisa round soon!” “Of course,” Daniel grinned, hugging her. As she closed the door, Lilian remembered what her own gran used to say: “You must always look after your own. It’s the English way—never turn your back on family. Remember that!”

Gran, Ive got a favour to ask you. I really need some money.

A lot.

James turned up at Sarah Edwards flat one evening, and it was clear he was anxious. Normally, hed visit her a couple of times a weekpopping by to grab some shopping or take out the rubbish. Once, he even fixed her armchair for her, so it would last a good few years more. He was always so calm and sure of himself. Tonight, though, he was a bundle of nerves.

Sarah had always worriedthere was so much going on in the world these days.

James may I ask why you need the money? And how much is a lot? She felt herself tense up.

James was her eldest grandson. A good lad, kind-hearted. Hed finished school last year, managing both a job and part-time college. His parents never had a bad word to say about him. But why did he suddenly need so much money?

I cant say just now, but I promise Ill pay you back. Just not all at once, in instalments, James said, shifting in his seat.

You know I only have my pension coming in, Sarah confessed. So how much do you need?

Two thousand pounds.

Why not ask your parents? Sarah asked automatically, already knowing what James would say. Her daughters husband, James dad, was a strict man who believed his son should deal with his own problems, especially at his age. He preferred not to meddle.

They wont help, James said, confirming Sarahs suspicion.

What if James had gotten himself into trouble? And would it only make things worse if she gave him the money? But on the other hand, what if not helping caused James more problems?

Sarah gazed at her grandson, searching for an answer.

Gran, please, its nothing bad, James reassured her, reading her look. Ill pay you back in three months, I promise! Dont you trust me?

Perhaps she should give him the money, even if he never returned it. Surely, everyone needs someone who believes in them. He shouldnt lose faith in people. She had that money set aside for emergenciesmaybe this was one. James had come to her, after all. It was far too early to think about her own funeral, and besides, when her time came, people would sort it. She needed to focus on the living, on her loved ones. People always say, if you lend, be prepared to never see the money again. Young people can be a mystery these days. Still, her grandson had never let her down before.

All right, James. Ill give you the money for three months, as you ask. But wouldnt it be best if your parents knew?

Gran, you know I love you. I always keep my promises. But if you cant, Ill try for a loanIm working now.

That morning, Sarah went to the bank, withdrew the sum, and gave it to James.

He broke into a wide grin, kissed her cheek, and said, Thank you, Gran. Youre the best. Ill pay you back, before hurrying off.

Sarah returned home, poured herself a cup of tea, and began to reflect. How often in her own life had she desperately needed helpand someone was always there for her. Times had changed though; everyone just looked out for themselves now. It was a strange world.

A week later, James dropped by in fine spirits.

Gran, heres part of what I owe youI got an advance at work. Do you mind if I visit tomorrow with a friend?

Of course, bring whoever you like. Ill bake your favourite poppy seed cake, she smiled, pleased he would come. Maybe tomorrow things would make senseshe just wanted to be sure James was all right.

James arrived that evening, not alone, but with a slender girl by his side.

Gran, this is Ellie. Ellie, this is my gran, Sarah Edwards!

Ellie offered a warm smile. Hello, Mrs Edwards, and thank you ever so much!

Come in, my dear, very pleased to meet you, Sarah said, inwardly breathing a sigh of relief. She liked Ellie straight away.

They all sat down to tea and cake.

Gran, I couldnt tell you before. Ellies mum had a sudden health crisisnobody else could help. Ellies a bit superstitious, so she wouldnt let me say why I needed the money. But it worked out. Her mums had surgery and the outlook is good, James said gently, glancing at Ellie and taking her hand.

Thank you, truly, youre so kind, and Im so grateful, Ellie said, wiping away a tear.

There now, Ellie, its all behind us, James said, standing up. Gran, wed better go. Its getting late; Ill walk Ellie home.

Take care, both of you. Good night. May everything go well, Sarah wished them as she watched them go.

Her grandson had grown into a fine man. She was glad she trusted him. It wasnt about the money at all; theyd grown closer as a result.

Two months later, James paid her back the entire sum and shared the whole story.

You know, the doctor said we were just in time. If you hadnt helped, it couldve been much worse. Thank you, Gran. I didnt know how to help Ellie at the time. Now I believe that, even in our darkest hours, theres always someone willing to lend a hand. Ill do anything for you, you really are the best!

Sarah tousled Jamess hair, just like when he was a boy. Off you go, now. Bring Ellie around soon, Ill be glad to see you both.

Of course we will! James hugged her tight.

Sarah closed the door and remembered something her own grandmother used to say:

You always help your own, love. Thats how its always been done here. If you show your face to the world, your family will never turn their backs on you. Never forget that.

And Sarah smiled, feeling grateful that she still believed in family, in kindness, and in the life lessons passed down through generations.