A 12-year-old boy saw something in a shop window that set his heart racing. It was a necklace with shining pearls. But the price, five dollars would buy almost a week’s groceries for his family.

Reuben couldn’t ask his father for the money. Everything his father made through fishing went to his mother, Dora, who struggled to feed and clothe her five children.

Nevertheless, he opened the shop’s door and went inside. Standing proud and straight in his flour-sack shirt and washed-out trousers, he told the shopkeeper what he wanted, adding, “Once we went to New York, my mum saw a same one. I know she liked it very much, because she fixed her eyes on it. I will buy it for her. But I don’t have the money right now. Can you please hold it for me for some time?”

“I’ll try,” the shop owner smiled. “People around here don’t usually have that kind of money to spend on such good-looking but costly things. It should keep for a while. ”

Reuben respectfully touched his worn cap and walked out. He had made up his mind to raise the five dollars and not tell anybody.

Hearing the sound of hammering from a side street, Reuben had an idea. He discovered that he could collect the hessian sacks (麻袋) thrown away in the street and sell them back for five cents a piece.

Every day after school, Reuben walked down the town, collecting the hessian sacks. On the day when summer holiday began, no student was more delighted than Reuben. Now he would have more time for his “work”.

All summer long, Reuben kept on his secret task. Soon the leaves fell and the winds blew cold. Reuben wandered in the streets, diligently searching for his hessian treasures. Often, he was cold, tired and hungry, but the thought of the object in the shop window supported him.

Eventually, the time had come! It was Mothers’ Day. He poured the coins out and began to count. Then he counted again. He made it! Exactly five dollars, not a cent more, not a cent less.

Holding the money in hands tightly, Reuben headed for the shop.

Mother opened the box carefully, and a shining necklace appeared.

“Hey, how are you doing, son?” My father smiled to me. “Not bad, dad, but I’ve decided not to go to university. I want to focus on my music career,” I replied. It would be a harmonious dinner if there was no argument interrupting us. As you know, my father insisted that I should be a teacher all the time because he was a professor while I would like to create a band in the rest of my life. My father got angry, raising his voice: “You can’t be serious. Why not being a teacher? You can help students and change their lives.” But I’m not interested in education at all. I just want to work in a studio, not a school. However, my dad thought that a band is not career, even not a job. If I were a lead singer of my band, I would be very happy. I will have new friends, new life, new environment and everything new. “It’s so boring to be a teacher for me, I can’t go to different countries, and I can’t wear popular clothes even!” I couldn’t control myself when I thought about it.

I know teachers are great. They set an example for me, giving me a lot of care and help when I was young. I have never denied this profession, but it is not my dream. Supposing that our human society intends to acquire long-term prosperity, it is advisable for us to do what we really love. Only in this way, can we work productively, efficiently and effectively.

At this time, my grandfather stepped between me and my father.

The relaxed atmosphere gradually eased off.

Last Friday evening, I was talking with my grandma…