Benjamin, 12, found an iPhone in the cornfield. Tourist lost it (or tossed it in Amish Country — happens). Screen glowing. Benjamin knew what it was (seen English kids with them). Didn't know what to do.
Picked it up. Touched screen. Pictures appeared. Bright. Alive. Swiped. More pictures. Video. Sound. Music. Voice. A whole world in his palm. In a glass palm.
Stood 10 minutes. Then put it back. In the corn. Face down. Covered with dirt. Walked away.
Evening, told Dad: 'Found a phone in the field.' Dad: 'What did you do with it?' 'Buried it.' Dad nodded. Silently. Approvingly.
That night Benjamin lay in the dark thinking about the glowing screen. The pictures. The music. The world in his palm. Thought a long time. Fell asleep. Morning — chickens, cows, oats. The screen was forgotten. Almost.