Dick Whittington was a poor boy who lived on the streets of London. He had no family, no friends, and no money. He survived by begging, stealing, and doing odd jobs. He dreamed of becoming rich and famous, but he had no idea how to achieve that.
One day, as he was walking along the road, he saw something shiny on the ground. He picked it up and realized that it was a sixpence coin. He was overjoyed and thought that it was his lucky day. He decided to buy himself some food and a new pair of shoes.
He went to the nearest market and looked for a stall that sold bread. He saw a baker who had a pile of fresh loaves. He approached him and asked, “How much for a loaf of bread, sir?”
The baker looked at him and sneered, “A loaf of bread costs a shilling, boy. You don’t have enough money to buy one.”
Dick showed him the sixpence and said, “But I have this. It’s a sixpence coin. It’s worth half a shilling.”
The baker laughed and said, “That’s not a sixpence coin, boy. That’s a fake. It’s made of tin, not silver. It’s worthless. You can’t buy anything with that.”
Dick was shocked and confused. He looked at the coin and saw that it was indeed a fake. He felt cheated and angry. He said, “But I found it on the road. Someone must have dropped it. It looked real to me.”
The baker said, “Well, you were fooled, boy. You should have checked it before you picked it up. Now go away and don’t bother me again.”
He pushed Dick away and continued to sell his bread. Dick felt sad and hopeless. He had lost his only chance to buy some food and a new pair of shoes. He wondered what he would do next.
He decided to keep the coin anyway, hoping that it might bring him some luck. He put it in his pocket and walked away. He thought, “Maybe this coin is not so bad after all. Maybe it has some magic in it. Maybe it will lead me to something better.”
He wandered around the city, looking for a place to stay. He saw a sign that said, “Wanted: A boy to work at the Fitzwarren’s shop. Apply within.” He thought, “Maybe this is my opportunity. Maybe I can get a job and earn some money.”
He entered the shop and saw a man who was the owner. He said, “Hello, sir. I saw your sign outside. I’m looking for a job. Can I work for you?”
The man looked at him and said, “What’s your name, boy?”
Dick said, “My name is Dick Whittington, sir.”
The man said, “Dick Whittington, eh? That’s a fine name. Where are you from, boy?”
Dick said, “I’m from nowhere, sir. I have no home, no family, no friends. I live on the streets.”
The man said, “That’s a pity, boy. You look like a good lad. You have a honest face and a bright smile. You deserve a better life.”
Dick said, “Thank you, sir. You’re very kind. Can I work for you, sir?”
The man said, “Yes, you can, boy. I need a boy to help me with my shop. I sell all kinds of things, from spices to silks, from books to toys. You can help me with the customers, the inventory, and the cleaning. You can also live here, in the attic. I’ll give you food, clothes, and a bed. And I’ll pay you a sixpence a week. How does that sound, boy?”
Dick said, “That sounds wonderful, sir. I’ll do my best to serve you. Thank you, sir. Thank you very much.”
The man said, “You’re welcome, boy. You can call me Mr. Fitzwarren. And this is my daughter, Alice. She helps me with the shop, too.”
He introduced Dick to a girl who was standing behind the counter. She was about Dick’s age, and she had long blonde hair and blue eyes. She smiled at Dick and said, “Hello, Dick. I’m Alice. It’s nice to meet you.”
Dick said, “Hello, Alice. It’s nice to meet you, too.”
Alice said, “You’re very lucky, Dick. My father is a good man. He’ll treat you well. And you’ll like it here. We have a lot of fun in the shop. And we have a cat, too. His name is Tommy. He’s very friendly and smart. He catches mice and rats. He’s our mascot.”
She showed Dick a black and white cat who was sleeping on a cushion. The cat opened his eyes and looked at Dick. He meowed and rubbed his head against Dick’s hand. Dick said, “Hello, Tommy. You’re a nice cat. I like you.”
Tommy said, “Meow. I like you, too.”
Dick felt happy and grateful. He had found a job, a home, a friend, and a cat. He thought, “Maybe this is my lucky day after all. Maybe this coin did bring me some luck. Maybe it will lead me to something better.”
He took out the coin and looked at it. He said, “Thank you, coin. You’re not so bad after all. You’re my happy little sixpence.”
He kissed the coin and put it back in his pocket. He said, “I’ll keep you with me always. You’re my lucky charm.”
And so, Dick Whittington began his new life at the Fitzwarren’s shop. He worked hard and learned fast. He was polite and helpful to the customers. He was friendly and cheerful to Alice. He was loyal and faithful to Mr. Fitzwarren. And he was kind and gentle to Tommy. He was happy and content.
But he did not know that his life was about to change even more. He did not know that his happy little sixpence was more than just a lucky charm. He did not know that it was a magic coin. He did not know that it had a secret power. He did not know that it would make him rich and famous. He did not know that it would make him the Lord Mayor of London. So he asked Alice