A Short Story About The Missing Diamond

About the missing diamond

Once upon a time there was a large diamond that everyone in the town admired. People would sit for hours in town just to listen to the tales of good fortune that this diamond would bring to whoever had possession of it. This diamond was handed down from generation to generation and now this diamond belongs to a seven-year-old boy named John. John treasured this diamond that his Grandfather gave him some years ago. John's Grandfather had told him that this diamond has special powers and told John in a deep voice, "as long as you keep this diamond safe good fortune would find its way to you". John truly believed his grandfather and kept the diamond in his Father's safe ever since he was three years old and so far everything his grandfather told him was coming true.
John had a wonderful life, until one day a young man came to town. Upon hearing of the diamond's great size and it's special powers the young man decided he had to have it, so good fortune would come his way like it had for John.
One hot summer night while John and his family slept, the young man set out to steal the treasured diamond with its special powers. He drove seven long miles to John's home and began plotting his way into the house without waking John and his family. Finally he began climbing up the tree by John's father's window that was open and entered. Quietly sneaking by John's sleeping parents he opened the safe and took the treasured diamond.
The next morning John woke to the very bad news, that the diamond had been stolen. John was heart broken. He called his Grandfather and told him of the terrible news. However, to John's surprise his Grandfather, told him not to worry that the diamond would find its way back to him, its rightful owner. One whole week went by and the diamond had not been returned like his grandfather had said. John called his Grandfather again and told him the diamond had not returned and he was very worried that he would never see the diamond again. His Grandfather told him that part of the special powers of this diamond is it brings bad luck to anyone who takes it from the rightful owner without permission. John always believed his Grandfather and continued to wait for the return of his diamond.
Meanwhile, everything John's Grandfather had told him concerning the special powers of the diamond was coming true. The young man was experiencing the worst luck he had ever known since stealing the diamond. He couldn't find his dog named lucky for several days and was worried for his dog's safety. The young man talked to his mom every day, but for some unknown reason he could not get in touch with his mom and had not talked to her for over a week now. He could not believe it, for all the good fortune the diamond had brought John it was bringing the young man the complete opposite, the worst luck he ever had.
The young man decided to bring the diamond back to John and his family. He called John that day and told John's father that he was coming over to return the diamond that afternoon. John called his grandfather and told him of the great news and asked his grandfather if he could be there when the young man came to return the diamond. Grandfather said he could, and he would be there for sure.
When the young man came over to John's house to return the diamond, he was crying and very upset. He introduced himself as Alex and told everyone in the house how very sorry he was that he had taken the diamond. He said that it was the first thing he had ever stolen. Alex said that he had been having some bad luck and thought that getting the diamond could bring him good fortune like it did for John. But Alex said it had only had brought him even worse luck then he had before stealing it. Alex began to cry again and said he could not find his mother or his dog Lucky and he would give anything to get them back again. He handed the diamond to John with tears running down his face and said he was sorry. John began to cry as well, and felt badly for Alex even though he knew what he did was very wrong, and he forgave him.
Then Grandfather began to tell Alex of the diamonds special powers and how they could work in reverse for whoever took the diamond without permission. But stated it was not just the diamonds special powers at work here, it was powers unexplainable to the young and the old. For some reason (Grandfather stated) when you steal or get things without having worked for them they are of no value to you and in fact can become very costly. Alex agreed with the tears continuing to fall from his cheek. Grandfather went on to say that Alex had done the right thing by returning the diamond and said he thought things would be getting better for Alex and his mom now. After talking with John's Grandfather Alex left the house very hopeful that evening.
Sure enough just like Grandfather said, that night Alex returned home, and to his surprise Alex's mother called and his dog lucky was sitting there waiting for him. Alex sat up for a very long time thinking that evening. He called his mother back and told her that he learned a valuable lesion. From now on I’m going to work hard for everything I want. Because he said I do not want to loose the things I care about most in life. My family's love and the warm feeling I have when I’m around my mother and my dog Lucky. Alex told his mom these things are much more valuable then any money or luck any diamond could ever hope to bring him. He also told her he was done searching for good fortune since he already was fortunate enough to have such a great family and everything he ever really wanted.

David J Bragga July 2, 2000