11 “Money Matters, But…”
/11 “Money Matters, But…”
*Alex and *Charlotte grew up in a small town overlooking the vast blue sea.
/*Alex and *Charlotte grew up in a small town overlooking the vast blue sea.
Since they were little, they played by the shore and learned the joy of riding waves with boards lent by their father.
/Since they were little, they played by the shore and learned the joy of riding waves with boards lent by their father.
For them, surfing was more than just a sport—it was a precious time that connected them with nature and themselves.
/For them, surfing was more than just a sport—it was a precious time that connected them with nature and themselves.
That summer, a poster announcing a surfing contest appeared on the beach.
/That summer, a poster announcing a surfing contest appeared on the beach.
The winner would receive a prize of 1,500$, a brand-new carbon board, and the honor of being featured on the front page of the local newspaper.
/The winner would receive a prize of 1,500$, a brand-new carbon board, and the honor of being featured on the front page of the local newspaper.
*Alex and *Charlotte’s eyes sparkled as they decided to enter.
/*Alex and *Charlotte’s eyes sparkled as they decided to enter.
However, the contest was for advanced surfers.
/However, the contest was for advanced surfers.
They needed lightweight boards and special wetsuits, and the rental fees were so high they strained the family budget.
/They needed lightweight boards and special wetsuits, and the rental fees were so high they strained the family budget.
Even combining their allowances wasn’t enough, and *Alex began to feel anxious.
/Even combining their allowances wasn’t enough, and *Alex began to feel anxious.
One evening, while walking along the seaside road, the siblings were approached by a high school surfer named Brestan.
/One evening, while walking along the seaside road, the siblings were approached by a high school surfer named Brestan.
“I’ve got a high-performance board I don’t use anymore. I’ll sell it cheap,” he said. “It’s rare—no one else is selling it.”
/“I’ve got a high-performance board I don’t use anymore. I’ll sell it cheap,” he said. “It’s rare—no one else is selling it.”
Tempted by the chance to get a hot item, *Alex felt torn.
/Tempted by the chance to get a hot item, *Alex felt torn.
*Charlotte looked at Brestan with uneasy eyes. “Why is it so cheap?”
/*Charlotte looked at Brestan with uneasy eyes. “Why is it so cheap?”
Brestan glanced away and said with a grin, “Let’s just say… adult reasons.”
/Brestan glanced away and said with a grin, “Let’s just say… adult reasons.”
At that moment, the siblings felt a sense of unease.
/At that moment, the siblings felt a sense of unease.
Back home, the news was playing on the living room TV.
/Back home, the news was playing on the living room TV.
A middle-aged man in financial trouble had been repeatedly shoplifting and vandalizing property, and was finally arrested.
/A middle-aged man in financial trouble had been repeatedly shoplifting and vandalizing property, and was finally arrested.
The article said, “Estranged from his family. Recovery is nearly impossible.”
/The article said, “Estranged from his family. Recovery is nearly impossible.”
*Charlotte quietly said, “When people are in financial trouble, they feel cornered. But what they gain from crime becomes a burden on their heart forever.”
/*Charlotte quietly said, “When people are in financial trouble, they feel cornered. But what they gain from crime becomes a burden on their heart forever.”
*Alex took a deep breath and looked out at the sea.
/*Alex took a deep breath and looked out at the sea.
Imagining himself making the same choices as that man made his chest tighten.
/Imagining himself making the same choices as that man made his chest tighten.
Maybe the line between right and wrong is closer than we think.
/Maybe the line between right and wrong is closer than we think.
The next morning, the siblings went to their father’s garage.
/The next morning, the siblings went to their father’s garage.
In a dusty old toolbox were boards and parts their father had used when he was young.
/In a dusty old toolbox were boards and parts their father had used when he was young.
Their father gently said:
/Their father gently said:
“When you’re in trouble, it’s okay to rely on family. But if you borrow something, return it responsibly. What matters more than money is trust and responsibility.”
/“When you’re in trouble, it’s okay to rely on family. But if you borrow something, return it responsibly. What matters more than money is trust and responsibility.”
The two picked up tools and began replacing parts and making repairs.
/The two picked up tools and began replacing parts and making repairs.
They attached new fins to the old board and worked on making it lighter.
/They attached new fins to the old board and worked on making it lighter.
With their hands covered in grime, they remembered their father’s words: “It’s okay to fail—just think for yourself and fix it.”
/With their hands covered in grime, they remembered their father’s words: “It’s okay to fail—just think for yourself and fix it.”
At the same time, they joined a local volunteer group, helping clean the beach and remove plastic waste.
/At the same time, they joined a local volunteer group, helping clean the beach and remove plastic waste.
As she picked up floating plastic bottles, *Charlotte smiled.
/As she picked up floating plastic bottles, *Charlotte smiled.
“Being able to surf in a clean sea is thanks to everyone’s efforts. Each of us supports a society where no one is left behind.”
/“Being able to surf in a clean sea is thanks to everyone’s efforts. Each of us supports a society where no one is left behind.”
On the day of the contest, the siblings headed to the shore with the board they had restored.
/On the day of the contest, the siblings headed to the shore with the board they had restored.
One judge commented, “I want to praise not only their technique but also their respect for the ocean.”
/One judge commented, “I want to praise not only their technique but also their respect for the ocean.”
Their surfing naturally reflected their care for the environment and gratitude to others.
/Their surfing naturally reflected their care for the environment and gratitude to others.
They placed third.
/They placed third.
They didn’t win the grand prize, but they received some money and a small reward.
/They didn’t win the grand prize, but they received some money and a small reward.
More than anything, they were filled with satisfaction.
/More than anything, they were filled with satisfaction.
*Alex placed a hand on his sister’s shoulder and smiled softly.
/*Alex placed a hand on his sister’s shoulder and smiled softly.
“Money is important, but money gained through wrongdoing eats away at your heart. True happiness lies in supporting each other.”
/“Money is important, but money gained through wrongdoing eats away at your heart. True happiness lies in supporting each other.”
*Charlotte gazed at the glowing horizon and quietly nodded.
/*Charlotte gazed at the glowing horizon and quietly nodded.
In their hearts, a strong belief had taken root—one they would carry with them always.
/In their hearts, a strong belief had taken root—one they would carry with them always.
Review Questions (Multiple Choice)
/Review Questions (Multiple Choice)
Why was the surfboard Brestan offered so cheap?
/Why was the surfboard Brestan offered so cheap?
A. Because it was old and easy to break.
/A. Because it was old and easy to break.
B. Because the seller had “personal reasons.”
/B. Because the seller had “personal reasons.”
C. Because it was a special model just for the siblings.
/C. Because it was a special model just for the siblings.
Let’s Think!
/Let’s Think!
Think about how actions to help others can connect to the future of your friends and community, based on your own experiences.
/Think about how actions to help others can connect to the future of your friends and community, based on your own experiences.
When a chance for big profit comes your way, what values will guide your decision?
/When a chance for big profit comes your way, what values will guide your decision?
Make a list of the elements you want to cherish.
/Make a list of the elements you want to cherish.
