It was the last week of summer break, and the sun blazed over the quiet streets of Maplewood. Most kids were squeezing in final pool days or gaming marathons, but not Jake and his cousin Max.
Jake, thirteen, lived in a cozy house with his mom and dad. Max, also thirteen, had come to stay for the summer while his parents traveled for work. Jake was thoughtful and careful; Max was adventurous and impulsive.
One morning, Jake’s mom handed them a list.
“The community center is collecting supplies for the new school year,” she said. “They need notebooks, pencils, and backpacks. Think you two can help?”
“Sure,” Jake replied.
Max nodded. “Let’s do it.”
They started by checking their own supplies. Jake had a few unused notebooks and extra pens. Max, however, had nothing to contribute.
“I used up all my stuff last year,” Max admitted.
“No worries,” Jake said. “We can ask neighbors and friends.”
They went door to door, explaining their mission. Some neighbors gave them supplies; others offered money. By afternoon, they had a decent collection.
As they walked home, Max spotted a brand-new backpack on a porch. No one was around.
“Look at that backpack,” Max said. “It’s perfect for the donation.”
“But it’s not ours,” Jake replied.
“Maybe they’re giving it away,” Max suggested.
Jake hesitated. “We should ask first.”
Max shrugged. “Suit yourself.”
The next day, they delivered the collected supplies to the community center. The coordinator, Ms. Thompson, was thrilled.
“Thank you, boys! These will help so many students.”
As they left, Max noticed a flyer on the bulletin board: “Back-to-School Bash – Volunteers Needed.”
“Let’s sign up,” Max said.
Jake agreed.
On the day of the event, they helped set up tables, organize games, and distribute supplies. Jake noticed Max giving away items generously, sometimes without checking the list.
“Max, we need to make sure everyone gets what they need,” Jake cautioned.
“Relax,” Max said. “There’s plenty to go around.”
Later, Ms. Thompson approached them.
“Great job today,” she said. “But we’re short on backpacks. Some kids didn’t get one.”
Jake looked at Max, who looked away.
“Maybe we can collect more,” Jake offered.
“That would be wonderful,” Ms. Thompson replied.
The next morning, Jake found Max in the garage, looking at the backpack from the porch.
“Max, where did you get that?” Jake asked.
Max sighed. “I took it. I thought it was for the donation, but now I’m not sure.”
“We need to return it,” Jake said.
They went back to the house with the porch. A woman answered the door.
“Hi,” Max began. “I took this backpack, thinking it was for donation. I’m sorry.”
The woman looked surprised, then smiled. “Thank you for being honest. It was a birthday gift for my grandson. I’m glad it found its way back.”
As they walked away, Max stared at the sidewalk.
“You didn’t have to come with me,” he said.
Jake shrugged. “It’s fine.”
That afternoon, they visited a few more neighbors, carefully explaining the shortage of backpacks. A few people offered spares. One gave them an unused store gift card. They picked out two new backpacks on the way to the community center and quietly added them to the donation table.
Ms. Thompson nodded at them as they left, but no one said much.
On the walk home, Max kicked a pebble down the street. “Next year,” he said, “I’m packing light. Just pencils and good intentions.”
Jake smirked. “Maybe throw in some responsibility.”
Max grinned. “Deal.”
They kept walking, the sun dropping low behind the trees, the sky stretched out above them like it had something new to say.
“Waste Not” by Bright Bunny Books © 2025. A retelling of “Waste Not, Want Not” from The Fireside Story Book by Maria Edgeworth originally published in 1847.
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“Waste Not” is intended for students in grades 5–7, offering age-appropriate language, relatable characters, and themes of responsibility, honesty, and community service.
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