Early in the morning, before the sun had even risen, I was already up and about in my small town. My name is Toylerion Nesh, but you can call me Toy. I’m tall and skinny, with messy hair and a friendly face. I have big dreams, like building a happy home for myself. It may seem impossible for someone who lives off of discarded cans and food scraps, but we all need something to aspire to. Every day, I scavenge for useful items like a treasure hunt, except instead of gold coins, I find half-eaten sandwiches and cans of beans. It’s just how I live. You learn to spot the good stuff amidst the trash…or in my case, slightly bruised apples in the dumpster.

I say hi to the old garbage bin behind Nellie’s Diner and open the lid with a lot of flair. Inside, there’s leftover food from yesterday that looks kind of gross but could still be useful. I’m really good at finding treasures in alleyways without getting hurt. I find a dented frying pan and get excited because it’s still usable. Maybe I can sell it for money or keep it for myself. We’ll see.

Sarcasm helps to keep the sadness away while I search for treasures in the rubbish. Each discarded item brings me closer to my dream home and reminds me why I keep going. Despite hunger pains, I have hope that things will get better. My goal is to find a place filled with love and joy instead of just finding happiness in garbage. That’s what drives me forward, and no amount of negative thoughts can stop me.
When I have free time I like gardening and fishing. I have a small plot of land behind my neighbor’s barn where I grow vegetables. I check on them every day and hope they will grow well. When the sun starts setting, I leave my garden to go fishing in the river nearby. I use an old fishing pole that has been handed down to me and patiently wait for a fish to bite. It can be frustrating when they don’t, but it’s all part of the experience. When I finally catch one, I feel proud and happy. I know that tonight, I won’t go hungry because of this fish. My simple life may not seem like much, but it’s mine and it makes me happy.

As the sun sets, I walk through quiet streets and search for hidden treasures in trash cans. With my skilled hands, I find things that others have thrown away without a second thought. Some are broken, but I can fix them. Others hold stories of adventure and far-off places. I feel a twinge of longing as I pass by cozy homes with families inside. But I know my place is in these alleys, scavenging to survive. Maybe one day, I’ll find a home among these dumpsters. But for now, I must focus on turning someone else’s trash into my tomorrow. That’s worth it to me.
“Hey, Flo,” I call out. She looks up and smiles as I toss her a can of beans, our currency. “Thanks, Toy,” she says.
“What are you working on?” she asks, pointing to the strange contraption in my arms.
“A table,” I reply with a wink.

“You always see something where others see nothing,” she chuckles.
With Flo’s help, we piece together our latest creation, finding solace and purpose in our forgotten corner of the world. “Good night, Flora,” I say before falling asleep among our makeshift family. “Night, Toy,” she replies, already drifting off into dreams. And I think maybe home isn’t a place, but the people we share our beans and dreams with.
The sun went down like a big coin into the river. I sat on the dock, my feet in the water, listening to it whisper secrets. I said hi to the sun and felt its warmth on my face. Rain started falling gently, and I enjoyed its sound and feeling on my skin. I thought about my little garden and how it gave me hope. Dreams are important because they show us what we want in life. Even when things are tough, I keep dreaming and fighting for my dream of a loving home. I looked up at the stars and saw endless possibilities. Tomorrow is another chance to make my dreams come true. Tonight, I sleep under the stars, but maybe tomorrow I’ll find a door to open. And with that thought, I closed my eyes and fell asleep, ready for whatever comes next.
Sunlight crept into the sky as I woke up in my makeshift bed. Another day, another night gone by. I stretched and let out a yawn before muttering to myself, “Time to start the day.” The town was buzzing with activity, people shaking off sleep and starting their routines. As I watched a couple pass by hand in hand, something tugged at my heart. It wasn’t their nice clothes or delicious breakfast smells that made me envious, it was their connection. A bond that no amount of money could buy.

I slipped my hands into my pockets and felt for a smooth stone I had found by the river. It reminded me that the best things in life are free. You can’t buy happiness or love.
“Let’s see what today brings,” I said to myself, enjoying my own company. These past months on the streets have taught me more than any school could about survival. Every day is a learning experience, from growing plants to reading the river. And I’m getting better at it. My hard work and determination keep me going, even when others may call me a wanderer.
But to me, I am an adventurer with big dreams and an unbreakable spirit. Today might be the day those dreams come true. Because in the end, it’s not about money or material possessions, it’s about the memories we make and the connections we share with others.
And so, I set off towards whatever lies ahead in this grand journey of life.
I walked through the dusty path, kicking up small whirlwinds and watching the sunset. I joked with the sun as it disappeared over the horizon. The cool evening air was a nice break after a day of struggling with nature. Sometimes it feels like we are just a small part of this world, playing our little role in its grand symphony.

As I approached my makeshift home under the bridge, I couldn’t help but think about what could be. What if I finally saved enough to buy some land? What if my tomato plants actually produced good crops? And what if I caught a huge fish that everyone in town would talk about? But then I reminded myself to stay grounded and not get lost in daydreams.
My wild hair could use a trim, but let’s be honest, scissors are better used for cutting coupons than taming my unruly mane. I saw my reflection in the river and felt proud of how far I’ve come. Night fell and the stars twinkled above me, each one holding its own story or wish. I playfully asked them to keep an eye on me. There was something different about that night, an electric charge in the air that made me feel like something big was about to happen. And I believed it because sometimes all you need is just a little bit of hope. I snuggled under my blanket on the ground and whispered goodnight to the world, ready to tackle whatever tomorrow brings in my journey towards my dream home.

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