Peter’s job was driving a taxi downtown. He made a small salary. But he liked his job because it wasn’t dull. Every day, he saw new things that appealed to him.
Peter’s job was driving a taxi downtown. He made a small salary. But he liked his job because it wasn’t dull. Every day, he saw new things that appealed to him. Peter was practical about the future. “Maybe I can get a scholarship to college,” he thought. “I could learn mathematical formulas and get a job at a bank. I could help clients invest their money.”
Peter stopped to pick up a passenger. “Where to?” he asked.
“Go to the Fourth Street Bank. And don’t talk to me. I’ve had a rough day,” the man said. Peter was angry, but he had a peaceful philosophy. When they stopped, the man’s fare came to $10.25. He put his hands in his pockets. “ I can’t find my wallet!” he said. “I can’t pay the fare!”
Peter said, “Maybe I’ll give you a temporary loan. You can borrow ten dollars and a quarter from me.”
The man was embarrassed, saying, “ I was mean to you, but now I want to help you. I founded this bank. I want to give you one thousand dollars.”
That much money was like a treasure to Peter. The man urged him to take the money, but he didn’t.
“You’re an honest person,” the man said. “I assumed you would take it. I want you to work for me.”
The next day, Peter started his job at the bank. He was happy to be done with his former job.
KeyWords
appeal
To appeal to someone is to be interesting or attractive to them.
Sleeping all day appeals to me, but I have to go to school.assume
To assume something is to think that it is true, even with no proof.
I assume you are both familiar with this plan.borrow
To borrow something is to take it and then give it back later.
Can I borrow a pencil to use today? I’ll give it back to you tomorrow.client
A client is a person or business that pays another to do a service.
She has many clients who enjoy coming to her salon.downtown
The downtown is the center of most cities.
The downtown is filled with many tall buildings.dull
If something is dull, it is not exciting.
The movie was very dull. I fell asleep watching it.embarrass
To embarrass someone is to make them feel ashamed or foolish.
He was embarrassed when he couldn’t remember her name.fare
A fare is an amount of money paid to use a bus, train, or taxi.
Since he is a senior, my grandfather pays a low fare for the bus.former
Former describes something that used to be but is not any more.
The hotel, a former castle, was built over 200 years ago.formula
A formula is a set mathematical way or method of solving a problem.
I learned a new formula that may help us with our problem.found
To found a company or organization means to start it.
The pilgrims founded one of the first colonies in the United States.invest
To invest means to use money in a way that will bring a profit later.
I invested money in a new building that should bring me a profit.loan
A loan is the act of lending something, usually money.
I got a loan from the bank.practical
If something is practical, it is useful in normal life.
Learning English is practical; you can use it in many places.quarter
A quarter is 25 cents.
He paid a quarter for the candy.salary
A salary is how much money a person makes at his or her job.
He got a new job with a better salary.scholarship
A scholarship is money given to one so they can go to school.
I got a scholarship to help me pay for university.temporary
If something is temporary, it exists for a short time.
This car is only temporary; I’ll get a new one soon.treasure
A treasure is a collection of valuable things, especially jewels or gold.
They became very rich when they found the buried treasure.urge
To urge someone is to try very hard to get them to do something.
He urged them to believe his story.
