Today was grading day.
Sammy Pike was grading from primary to grade one. He had worked hard all
year and made good marks and tried to do what his teacher said. And now it was the last day of school, and grading day was finally here.But, more important than that, today was the day Sammy Pike was to get a new bicycle - his first two-wheeler. His dad had promised him one if he graded. And "Congratulations!" his teacher had said, he did just that!
Out the school door Sammy flew like the wind with his grading certificate in one hand and his report card in the other; up the street passing all the other kids, his feet could not stop running.
He knew brand new two-wheeled bicycles cost a lot of money. And that his dad didn't have much money left over after buying groceries and paying bills. "Are you saving any money for my bike?" Sammy kept asking his dad every week. "I hope you can save up some."
"Don't you worry," his father said. "That's my job. Your job is to pass. Let me worry about the money."
"It's okay if you can't get it, dad," Sammy said. "I'll understand. Or at least if you have only enough money to buy a used one."
"I'll do what I can," his father told him. "I will certainly try."
And now the big day was here and Sammy was almost home. He took off his jacket to run faster in the warm, June sun. Into the house he bounced: "Mom! Dad! I'm home. I graded! I graded! Look!"
And he handed his mother his report card and certificate as she came out of the kitchen. She gave him a great big kiss and hug.
Sammy knew his father had come home early from work because his car was in the driveway. But where was he? Sammy ran from one room to the other before his mother could stop him. But there was no dad and no bicycle. Suddenly, he heard his father calling him, out on the front lawn.
Sammy rushed out the door and there was his dad, holding the most beautiful new bicycle that Sammy had ever seen.
"Wow!" yelled Sammy. "A brand new bike! This is the greatest day in the whole world." And he couldn't stop jumping up and down.
"How do you like her?" his father asked.
"Great!" Sammy said. "She's just great." He could hardly believe his eyes. "Thanks, mom. Thanks, dad. Wow! Can I hold her?" Sammy asked.
"Sure, she's all yours," said his father.
Sammy held onto the bicycle, but he didn't have to. It had a fine pair of shiny silver training wheels and could stand up all by itself.
"Want to get on?" his father asked.
"Sure!," Sammy said. And up he got with some help from his dad.
"Hold it," said his mother. She had the camera all ready.
"Smile...Happy Grading Day!" And his mother took a picture for the family album.
Sammy gave his new bike a kiss. "I'm going to call her 'Speedy'," he decided.
" 'Speedy' is a good name," his father agreed. "But don't drive her too fast. You must be careful with a two-wheeled bike."
So Sammy and his dad went up and down the sidewalk, his father explaining how to ride her, the basic safety rules, and where he could and could not go.
Sammy found it was very hard to ride a two-wheeled bike. It was certainly not like his little tricycle. It looked so easy watching the big kids riding on theirs. But Sammy's father explained that in time Sammy would learn, too. It would take practice, but after awhile he would get it and it would be as easy as pie. Then they would take the training wheels off and away Sammy would go. But, it would be best to keep them on for now.
That night Sammy had 'Speedy' parked safely at the end of his bed. He lay on his pillow and looked at her. She gleamed in the faint hall light stealing into his bedroom.
"Thanks, dad," Sammy said, when his father came in to check on him. "I know it cost a lot of money and everything. But it's the greatest."
"That's okay, son. You deserve it. I told you I'd get you a new bike if you graded. That was the deal. And you mother and I found a way. But be sure to take good care of her. We couldn't buy you another one."
"I will," Sammy told him.
"Dad," Sammy asked, just before he fell asleep. "This is the greatest day. Will you write a story about it?"
"Sure," said his father. "And what shall we call it?"
Sammy thought for a moment, "Sammy Pike's New Bike," he said.
And that very night his father did just that.
............................................................................................................................................The End.
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