Krone’s interest in music began in middle school, and after repeated requests and a promise to study hard and get into the best high school, he got his parents to buy him a shabby old wooden guitar. He kept practicing, performing with others and composing his own songs. He loved music so much that he dropped out of college despite his parents’ objections. After that, he participated in singing competitions and sent demos(样片) to record companies, but they disappeared forever.

Once, he got a chance to perform in front of a famous musician, but the musician told him directly that his voice and composition were not unique enough to make him a professional singer.

His grandmother died, and his sister Mary repeatedly asked him to attend the funeral(葬礼). On the way home, Mary asked him about his plans for the future, and he began to feel that he was not confident enough to take up a career in music, and his father’s poor health did not allow him to leave home again.

After arriving home, Krone saw the thin and weak father, who argued a few words about his future, which made him feel that his father would not understand him. Later, his sister told him that, in fact, dad supported his free development, so Krone decided to talk to dad again. But when he walked back home and looked at his father through the window, he saw that his father had placed the family knives away, as if feeling sorry for not passing on the family business started by grandfather with the shop named “Fish Song”. Krone felt guilty and sad. Should he inherit the family business, or find a way to develop the fish business?

Next morning, Mary shook Krone out of his sleep and told him that father fainted in the market. The doctor thought that father should take a few more days off, but he didn’t agree. He really didn’t want to close the shop.

Krone offered to help, which surprised everyone, especially father.

It was time for Krone to make up the decision.

A GIFT FOR GRANDPA

Summer vacation was coming. Jack and his brother Berlin were filled with excitement as they thought of visiting their grandparents again.

The big day came at last. After the happy family got ready, they set out for the grandparents’ eagerly. On the way, the brothers were excitedly talking about the fun they had with grandparents.

A little blue house with a tall white chimney finally appeared. Behind the property was the forest carrying their good memories with Grandpa. They arrived at the driveway, at the end of which Grandma was waiting for them joyfully.

Jack and Berlin each gave Grandma a big hug and then swept to the living room, shouting   excitedly “Grandpa, we are back!”

Seeing his grandsons, Grandpa was wild with joy and tried to get up with all his strength from the chair but in vain. A helpless expression flashed on his face. Grandma explained that his health was declining rapidly and maybe couldn’t stand up on his own forever. But Grandpa declared stubbornly (倔强地), “I can!” Certainly, he was stuck in his boyish way. Mum and grandparents were happy to meet again after a long time. They sat together and chatted about what happened recently.

The brothers were soon bored with adult conversation, went out and wandered into the forest. Tall trees stretched up to the heavens with large branches crossing each other, while young ones rose straight like soldiers. Grandpa was once a great explorer full of wisdom. He could tell where the birds came from only by their calls and songs. The trees, birds, lizards, lots of bugs... How many merry moments they spent with Grandpa in the kingdom!

But now Grandpa couldn’t get up. This made them worried. “We’d think out a way to cheer him up.” Jack said. “Grandpa is a bird lover, and we can catch him a bird.” Berlin suggested. “But he hates birds being caged!” Jack shook his head.

Then a bright idea came to Jack’s mind. “Why not make a cane (拐杖) out of a young tree!”.

Jack and Berlin handed the cane to Grandpa.