My Gift of Five Minutes

Courtney Warren

In five minutes, a man could take a gun and shoot up a mall. In five minutes, a war could begin. In five minutes, a person can die, and in five minutes, thousands of lives can change. A lot can happen in a short amount of time. Things happen in minutes that people spend the rest of their lives wishing they could take back. That’s where my gift comes in.

I wouldn’t give a gift wrapped in a box and tied with a pretty bow. No, I would grant the ability to go back in time and change something we wish we had not done. Think about it. Imagine someone close to you died. Would you go back and use your minutes to tell that person you loved them just one last time? I bet thousands would use their five minutes to try and prevent 9/11 from happening. All it would take is one person at the airport to report the situation to the guards.

As with most gadgets, this gift comes with an instruction manual. On that first page of the guide is a warning that states, “You only get five minutes. No more. No exceptions. Use them wisely.” The introduction on page one explains that if you have received this ultimate gift, then you are kind at heart. You can only receive this gift if you always try to do the right thing. The introduction also states that you must use your minutes in a fair and honest manner.

There are a few rules that come along with this gift. For each minute, there is a rule. First, you cannot use your five minutes to hurt anyone. Second, you cannot sell your minutes, though you can give them away to someone in need. Next, you must have a good reason for using your five minutes, and they cannot be used for a greedy or selfish cause. Fourth, you have to use your five minutes all at once. Finally, you have to give your heart to the cause.

There are some fortunate people who do not need their five minutes. “What a lame gift!” They may say. You have to remember, though, that the world is always changing, and people are changing with it. The minutes may come in handy one day. On very rare occasions, people may never need their five minutes. Those are a lucky few! To them, the five minutes may mean nothing, but the same minutes could mean the world to someone else.

In five minutes, a baby can be born. In five minutes, a war can end, and in five minutes a stranger can become a friend. In just five minutes, thousands of lives can change. Five measly minutes can change people and the world, for the better!