“Listen to me, little boy!” boomed a voice.    

Hector saw a tall man standing at the foot of his bed, wearing a purple wizard’s hat, a white mask, and a ruby red robe. Hector pulled his blanket over his head. “What do you want?” he asked.  

“Hector Hernandez,” the man said, “I want you to give me a hand.” 

Hector started clapping his hands together. The man laughed. 

“No, no, no,” said the man. “That’s not what I mean at all. I want your hand to help make the world a better place.”    

“Huh?” asked Hector. “Is this a dream?”     

“Tomorrow is Saturday. I want you to say something nice to everyone you meet and give them your hand.” 

“Why do I have to give them my hand?” asked Hector. “They already have hands. I only have two, you know.”    

“Of course, silly boy,” said the man. “You can keep your hands. All you have to do is shake their hands.”    

“Oh?” said Hector.     

“And tell them something nice.”        

“Hector! It’s time for breakfast,” shouted Father. Hector peeked out from under his blanket and saw a purple haze disappear into thin air.    

“Today,” announced Hector to his parents, “I will shake people’s hands and tell them something nice.”    

Hector rode his bike all over Hopesville. A little nervous at first, Hector quickly warmed to his task. One woman gave him candy. Another kissed him on the cheek. One man gave him a quarter. And another cried when he heard Hector’s kind words.  

“This is really neat,” said Hector, as people began shaking hands, saying nice things, and even hugging each other. “Now I understand what the man meant.” 

Hector went to school on Monday and some of the kids made fun of him. 

“Is that your idea of fun?” asked one. “What a waste of time,” said another. 

“You’re really a weirdo,” said still another.   

What next? wondered Hector. 

Hector walked into the restroom and found one of his teachers standing there. He had his hand on his forehead. He looks upset, thought Hector. What should I do?

Mr. Lap said, “That’s just what I needed. Thanks!” 

Later in the day, Hector heard the announcement: “Hector Hernandez, please report to the office after school.”   

Oh oh, thought Hector. I must be in trouble. 

Hector waited in the office. In a few minutes, Principal Powers opened his door and said, “Come in Hector, I‘ve been expecting you.” 

“Did I do something wrong?” asked Hector. 

“Not at all,” said the principal. “I just wanted to thank you personally for being so nice to my father on Saturday. He can’t stop talking about it.”    

As soon as Hector got home from school on Friday, his mother shouted out, “Listen to the television!”  

“Hector Hernandez from Hopesville has started something that’s sweeping the world,” said the reporter.  

“What’s going on?” asked Hector. “How did they find out?” 

Just then, a reporter knocked at the door. “We would like to speak to Hector Hernandez.”  

Hector went outside. The reporters surrounded him and bombarded him with questions: “Why did you do it?” “How does it feel to be famous?” “What’s next?”    

He saw the principal working his way toward him. “Hi, Mr. Powers,” said Hector. “How are you?” 

“I am well, thank you. Hector, there is someone who wants to speak with you. Here, take my phone.” 

All the reporters listened intently.  

“Is this Hector Hernandez from Hopesville?” the caller asked.    

“Yes, that’s me.”      

“How did you get your idea?” he asked.    

“I had a dream.”    

“I wish everyone could have your dream.”