Jenny was a pretty eight-year-old girl.

One day when she and her mother were checking out at the grocery store, Jenny saw a plastic pearl necklace, by which she was totally defeated. How eagerly she wanted it! But when he saw the price, her heart sank a little. She gathered up her courage and asked her mother if she would buy it for her, her mother said, “Well, it is a pretty necklace, but it costs an awful lot of money. I can buy you the necklace, but when we get home we should make up a list of housework that you can do to pay for the necklace.” Jenny agreed immediately, feeling a burst of joy. So her mother bought the pearl necklace for her. Jenny worked on her housework determinedly and earnestly every day. Soon Jenny had paid off the pearls.

Jenny had a very loving daddy. When Jenny went to bed, he would read Jenny her favorite story. One night when he finished the story, he said, “Jenny, do you love me?” “Oh yes, Daddy, you know I love you,” the little girl said delightedly, with a broad smile on her face. “Well, then, give me your pearls.” Hearing that, Jenny froze there, an anxious expression twisting her face. “Oh! Daddy, not my pearls! But you can have Rosy, my favorite doll. Remember her? You gave her to me last year for my birthday. Okay?” “Oh no, darling, that's okay.” Her father brushed her cheek with a kiss, gently and calmly. “Good night, little one.”

A week later, her father once again asked Jenny after her story, “Do you love me?” “Oh yes, Daddy, you know I love you.” the little girl murmured softly, trying to escape from her father’s eyes. “Well, then, give me your pearls.” “Oh, Daddy, not my pearls! But you can have Ribbons, my toy horse. Do you remember her? She's my favorite.” The little girl begged. “No, that's okay,” her father said, smiling broadly and sweetly and brushed her cheek again with a kiss. “God bless you, little one. Sweet dreams.”

Several days later, when Jenny's father came in to read her a story, Jenny

Holding the plastic pearl his daughter offered, the father dragged out a blue box.

“Surprise!” was the first thing I heard when I opened the door. My family and friends were all smiling at me. There were colorful balloons all over the house, a big poster saying “HAPPY BIRTHDAY”, and of course a cake with 12 candles. It was a wonderful feeling, I knew that I had finally turned twelve and I might possibly get the thing I wanted most.

I saw my mom and dad coming towards me with a small box which seemed to be a birthday present. When I opened the box, I couldn’t believe my eyes. I had really gotten a mobile phone! Throwing myself into their arms, I let out a cry of joy, “Thank you! I love you guys!” “You’re welcome. We knew this was going to make you happy but we didn’t only get you this because you turned twelve, but also because you are doing well in school. We expect you to keep getting good grades.” “Of course I will.” I said confidently.

As soon as I got to school the next morning, I was showing off my phone and asking everyone for their number. It was cool how I got so many contacts on the first day. It felt like I didn’t even exist in that class anymore. I wouldn’t pay much attention to the teachers because 1 was too busy on my phone. However, I didn’t get caught using it.

I am pretty sure that the teacher did notice that I stopped paying attention to her because a week later we took a test and I failed. What was worse, my mom had to sign the test.

It was hard to show my mom the test. She was used to seeing A’s and B’s on my tests. Finally, I showed it to her, and she couldn’t believe it. She was angry but most of al, she was disappointed.