It was a sunny afternoon, James took his money box again but found nothing. He carefully counted the coins that lay on the bed. $4.52 was all that he had. The scooter he wanted was $20! How was he going to get the rest money?
James' friends all had scooters. It was difficult to hang out with people when you were the only one without wheels. He thought about what he could do. He didn't ask his parents, for he clearly knew that his parents had no money.
There was one way to get money and that was to make it. He would have to find a job, but who would hire him at his age and what he could do? He decided to ask Mr. Clay for advice, who is usually helpful.
"Well, you can start right here," said Mr. Clay, "My windows need cleaning and my car needs washing."
That was James' odd-job business. For three months, he worked every day after finishing his homework. He was diligent for the jobs that people found for him to do. He took dogs and babies for walks, cleaned out cupboards, and mended books. He couldn't remember the number of the cars he washed and windows he cleaned, but the money increased. He knew that he would soon have enough for the scooter he liked.
Three months later, the day finally came when James counted his money and found $94.32. He wasted no time running to the shop and picked up the scooter he wanted. He rode it proudly home, looking forward to showing the new scooter to his friends. It had been hard working for the money, but James knew that he valued his scooter far more since he had bought it with his own money. He had got what he thought was impossible, and that was worth much more than the scooter.
① He mended some books.
② He sold one of his bikes.
③ He washed cars and windows.
④ He took dogs and babies for walks.
