On Saturday morning, every boy in town was happy, except Tom Sawyer. Tom's aunt said he had to paint the fence (围栏). It was thirty yards long and three yards high! When he was working, some boys came along and made fun of him.
Ben was the first one who came happily with an apple in his hand.
"I'm going swimming," said Ben. "Do you want to come? Oh, you have to work, don't you?"
Tom got a little angry, but soon he had a wonderful idea.
"Work?" he said. "I don't think this is work. It's fun. Dos a boy get a chance like this every day?"
Ben thought about this. He was watching Tom's every move and was getting more and more interested.
After a while, he said, "Tom, will you let me do some painting?"
"No way. You see. Aunt Polly wants it to be done properly. I'm the only one that can do it right." "Oh, please, Tom," begged (恳求) Ben. "I'll be really careful. Let me try! I'll give you my" apple in return.
"Well, all right, Ben," said Tom. "But you must be careful."
He gave Ben his brush with worry on his face but joy in his heart. He started to eat Ben's apple.
All day, boys passed by and wanted to paint. When Ben got tired, Billy began to paint. He gave Tom his favourite kite. Then Johnny gave him twelve marbles (玻璃弹子), and so on.
That afternoon, Tom got many toys, and the fence got three coats of paint. Aunt Polly was so pleased when she saw the painted fence that she gave him a large cake!
