One day, our teacher, Mr. Sims, announced that the seventh grade field trip would be to a theme park. The classroom was filled with excitement as the girls discussed what they would wear and what they should bring with them. I sat back and listened, knowing that my parents did not have the money to send me. It made me___1___ to feel so left out. But not Danny. He simply told everyone that he wouldn’t be going. When Mr. Sims asked him ___2___ , Danny stood up and said, “It’s too much money for me. My dad hurt his back and has been out of ___3___ for a while. I’m not asking my parents for money.”
Sitting back down in his seat, Danny held his head up ___4___, even though whispering had already begun. I could only sit quietly in my seat, knowing those ___5___ could be about me when they found out I would not be going either.
“Dan, I’m very proud of you for ___6___the situation that your parents are in,” Mr. Sims replied.
Seeing the students whispering in the back, Mr. Sims spoke again, only ___7___.
“This year, we’re going to do things differently. The trip is not until the end of the month, so there’s plenty of time for money ___8___. Each student must bring in at least one idea for that. If a student doesn’t want to help, then he or she will be staying here that day. Any ___9___?”
Of course, Shelly, the most popular girl in the class, spoke up.
“Well, Mr. Sims, my parents can ___10___ it. Do I still have to help?”
“Shelly, this is not a matter of being rich or poor. Money is not just something that is handed to you when you get older. This will be a great learning experience for everyone, whether you have the money or not.”