Marcus sat by his window, gazing at the blinking lights on other buildings. He thought of Papa who was visiting Marcus's sick grandpa in Jamaica. "I'll try to help Mama while you're gone." Marcus had promised his father.
His little brother, Peter, sat beside him. "When are we getting our Christmas tree, Marcus?" Peter asked. " I can't wait to decorate it with Mama's straw birds."
"We're not getting a tree this year, Peter”
"Why not?"
"Too many bills with Grandpa sick. Mama said we can't afford one."
Marcus walked slowly to his room and shook his piggy bank. Seven dollars in coin fell out, his tips them helping at the market.
With school out, he thought, maybe I can earn enough in two days to buy a tree and surprise Mama and Peter.
The next day, he stayed busy pushing cars to help shoppers. By the time he left, six more dollars jingled in his pocket. My lucky day, he though. Thirteen dollars should buy a small tree.
He whistled all the way to the lot. But even the smallest trees were $15 or more. Tomorrow will be busy with shoppers, he thought. I'll earn those extra dollars.
“Can you save this tree for me, Sir?" he asked the man in the lot.
“I can't, but come back tomorrow. It might still be here." the man said.
“I`ll be back." Marcus waved and dashed off.
The next morning, Mama came into his room. "The babysitter is sick. I'll need you to take care of Peter for a day." Mom said and gave Marcus a hug. I'll never get a tree now, Marcus thought. Later, Peter pleaded, "Can we go out?" After thinking for a moment, Marcus nodded. He took his brother to the tree lot. There, he saw that most of the trees were gone, including the one he had wanted.
Para l:
Then Marcus saw a very small tree in the corner.
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Para2:
They began placing Mama's straw birds on the branches.
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