A
Love, joy? and the warm feeling of pulling together to get through tough times donft cost a thing. But
gifts do cost money. So, what’s a poor family to do?
When Christmas season rolled around again, I told my mother that the only thing I wanted was a pogo stick (弹簧单高跷). However，my mother told me they were too expensive and that we simply
couldn’t afford one.
On a Saturday afternoon a couple of weeks before Christmas, my mom and dad told me we needed to go to Sears to pay our credit card bill. While my mother and I were at the counter paying the bill, my dad said，“I’ll be right back— I need to see something in the tool department.” A little later，my dad came back with a long box. I remember wondering at that very moment if it was a pogo stick in that box.
When we arrived back at home, my dad put the box in the garage. While my parents were busy with their chores, I quietly walked out to the garage and found the box. I was so excited and I knew that as soon as I opened that magical box my bright, shiny pogo stick would appear. No such luck! Inside the box was a silly old broom. And so Christmas morning was both great and disappointing. I got some nice
gifts but I didn’t get the present that I really wanted.
After all the wrapping paper was cleaned up my dad said he needed to tend to something in the garage. When he came back in, he was carrying a beautiful pogo stick. I couldn’t believe it! My parents probably got quite a laugh from the trick they played on me.
Although we didn9t have much money, my parents gave me the most important gift of all: lots of love. My dad worked hard to provide for us and my mother knew how to stretch a dollar. That was over 60 years ago and I still think about those wonderful Christmas memories every year during the holiday season. My parents were the best and I will never forget all the joy they brought into my life.
21. Why did the author’s mother refuse to give him a pogo stick?
A. They’re dangerous for kids to play with.
B. She had already bought him another gift.
C. They didnft have enough money to buy one.
D. He already had too many pogo sticks.
22. How did the author probably feel before he opened the box?
A. Hopeful. B. Disappointed. C. Amazed. D. Doubtful.
23. What does the author think the most valuable gift he received from his parents was?
A. Their unconditional love.
B. His pogo stick.
C. The ability to get through tough times.
D. All the great memories of Christmas.
