Karl walked to the back of the classroom to put his book away. There, lying on the carpet in front of the bookcase, was a golden ticket! He picked it up. His heart beat faster when he saw that the name line was blank.
The boys and girls in Karl's class could earn golden tickets by doing well in their work or by being extra helpful or kind. Once a week his teacher, Miss Evans, drew a ticket out of a jar, and let the winner choose a prize. Karl couldn't believe his luck.
The golden ticket was going to be drawn, and here was another ticket, just for him. He looked around, but no one else was near the ticket. All his classmates were at their desks, laughing and talking with each other.
Karl decided to write his name on the blank line. Then he could put it into the prize jar with the tickets he'd already earned. With so many chances, at least one of his tickets would be picked! Then he could choose the pink pig as his sister's birthday present, just like what he had been hoping for.
He smiled and reached for the pencil in his pocket. Suddenly his fingers stopped. There was a strange feeling in his chest, and it wasn't his heartbeat.
He looked out of the window and tried to figure it out. He did find the ticket, but he hadn't earned it. Maybe whoever lost it was looking for it. But he needed this extra ticket for his great plan!
He remembered what Dad had told him and his sister. "When you make a right choice, you can feel peaceful inside. You never have to feel bad about your choice later."
Paragraph 1:
He put the pencil back in his pocket.
Paragraph 2:
"Karl, I'd like you to have another ticket," Miss Evans said.
