At the very edge of town stood an orphanage.
It was built inside an old stone church, right next to a quiet cemetery.
Inside lived about twenty children, aged between four and fifteen.
Every so often, a policeman would bring a new child to join them.
And sometimes, a kind couple would arrive to adopt a child and give them a new home.
One cold winter night, snow drifted gently down outside the windows.
Inside, the children sat near the fireplace, reading, sewing, or whispering stories to each other.
The headmistress, Miss Cart, worked quietly at her desk.
Suddenly, there came a knock at the heavy wooden door.
When Miss Cart opened it, she saw the familiar town policeman.
Beside him stood a thin boy in ragged clothes. His long hair nearly covered his large, dark eyes.
“Good evening, ma’am,” the policeman said politely.
“This is Edward Jenkins. His father died in a factory fire some years ago, and his mother has just passed from tuberculosis. He is alone now. The mayor thought it best for him to be here with the other children.”
Edward lowered his head. His cheeks were hollow, and he looked very hungry.
Miss Cart called for some supper. A bowl of warm stew and a crust of bread soon arrived.
Edward ate every bite. For the first time that day, his face softened, just a little.
Afterwards, Miss Cart led Edward into the large dormitory.
The room was divided by a curtain — boys on one side, girls on the other.
Each child had a narrow bed, a small table, and a lamp.
She introduced Edward to an older boy.
“James Hancock, I’d like you to look after Edward and help him settle in.”
James grinned. “Of course, ma’am.”
James was fourteen and had lived at the orphanage since he was six.
He knew every secret corner, every creaky stair, and every trick to find an extra snack in the kitchen.
He was chatty and cheerful, and although Edward barely spoke at first, James didn’t mind.
Soon, the two became close friends.
James read stories aloud at night, and Edward laughed at his silly jokes.
For the first time since his mother’s death, Edward began to smile again.
But one night, James opened a book and began to read Oliver Twist, the story of another orphan boy.
Edward froze. Suddenly, tears poured down his face.
He cried out, beating his head with his fists. “No! No! No!”
The dormitory fell silent. Children stared in shock.
Miss Cart rushed in, gathered Edward in her arms, and whispered,
“Shhh, little one. Come with me. I’ll make you some warm milk.”
In her private chamber, Edward sat trembling, clutching the mug of milk.
Miss Cart handed him a biscuit and a soft handkerchief.
She didn’t question him. She just sat nearby until he calmed down.
Finally, Edward whispered, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make a scene.”
Miss Cart laid a gentle hand on his shoulder.
“Would you like to tell me what happened?”
Edward burst out, “When James read about Oliver, I thought of my mum. Why did she leave me? Why did my dad? Didn’t they love me?”
His voice rose, filled with anger and pain.
Miss Cart listened. When he was quiet again, she said softly,
“It is not their fault, Edward. And it is not yours.
Your parents would have stayed if they could. They loved you dearly.
But sometimes God calls people away for reasons we cannot understand.”
Edward frowned, his eyes wet.
Miss Cart continued, “I know this because I too lost someone — my little girl. She died of fever ten years ago. At first, I was lost. I cried and shouted at God, asking why.
But over time, I realised my task was here — to care for children like you.
It doesn’t mean I forgot my daughter. It means I found purpose again.
You, too, have a purpose, Edward. Your sorrow, your anger, even your loneliness — these will shape you into a strong, wise man. One day, you will understand why.”
That night, Edward dreamed of his parents.
They smiled at him, telling him again and again how much they loved him.
He felt their presence close by, as though they were walking beside him.
When he woke up, he was no longer alone. He kind of knew that his parents were watching over him. Whenever Edward thought of his parents, he remembered their love, and he carried their love with him, every step of the way.
And in the orphanage by the cemetery, the boy who once felt abandoned discovered he was never truly alone.
