Now, the VOA Special English program WORDS AND THEIR STORIES.
I think people everywhere dream about having lots of money. I know I do. I would give anything tomake money and">hand over fist.I would like to earn large amounts of money. You could win a large amount of money in the United States throughlotteries. People pay money for tickets with numbers. If your combination of numbers is chosen, you win a huge amount of money – often in the millions. Winning the lottery isa windfall.
A few years ago, my friend Al won the lottery. It changed his life. He did not have a rich family. He was notborn with a silver spoon in his mouth.Instead, my friend was alwayshard upfor cash. He did not have much money. And the money he did earn waschicken feed– very little.
Sometimes Al even had to acceptand">hand-outs,gifts from his family and">and friends. But do not get me wrong. My friend was not adeadbeat.He was not the kind of person who never paid the money he owed. He simplypinched pennies.He was always very careful with the money he spent. In fact, he was often acheapskate.He did not like to spend money. The worst times were when he wasflat brokeand">and had no money at all.
One day, Alscraped togethera few dollars for a lottery ticket. He thought he would neverstrike it richor gain lots of money unexpectedly. But his combination of numbers was chosen and">and he won the lottery. Hehit the jackpot.He won a great deal of money.
Al was so excited. The first thing he did was buy a costly new car. Hesplurgedon the one thing that he normally would not buy. Then he started spending money on unnecessary things. He started to waste it. It was like he hadmoney to burn.He had more money than he needed and">and it wasburning a hole in his pocketso he spent it quickly.
When we got together for a meal at a restaurant, Al paid every time. He would alwaysfoot the bill,andpick up the tab.He told me the money made himfeel like a million dollars.He was very happy.
But, Al spent too much money. Soon my friend wasdown and outagain. He had no money left. He was back to beingstrapped for cash.He had spent hisbottom dollar,his very last amount. He did not even build up anest egg.He had not saved any of the money.
I admit I do feel sorry for my friend. He had enough money to live like a king. Instead, he is back to livingon a shoestring-- a very low budget. Some might say he ispenny wise and pound foolish. He was wise about small things, but not about important things.
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WORDS AND THEIR STORIES, in VOA Special English, was written by Jill Moss. I’m Faith Lapidus.
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2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25