New Car
Bobby sighed as his mother pulled up in the car loop to get him after school. His mother’s grey minivan stood out in a crowd of shiny SUV’s and sharp-looking new sedans. His buddy, Thomas, smirked at him as he got into his mother’s minivan at parent pickup after school.
“Mom, I really don’t like our car.”
“Bobby, is that any way to greet your mother?”
Mom asked with a disapproving frown.
“I’m sorry, but it’s embarrassing having you pick
me up in this old junker, while everyone else rides
something cooler.”
Mother snorted as she closed the minivan doors
with a flick of a lever. “I wasn’t aware I’d been entered into some sort of ‘coolest car competition’ at your school.”
“Everyone watches and judges me all the time. People look at my clothes, my hair, our car...” Bobby whined.
“People need to mind their own business.” Mother snapped. “There are more important things in life
than appearances. Who cares if this car isn’t that beautiful?”
“I do?” Bobby said in exasperation. “It’s social torture riding around in this grocery-go-getter.”
“Then may your social life end in glorious fashion, because this car has been good enough for our
family for eight years. We have gone on trips, taken you to school, and gone shopping in it. It still has several years of life left in it, years I expect to use!” Mother lectured as she made a painfully slow exit of the school
grounds. She smiled extra wide and waved at all his friends just to irritate him further.
“Mom! Just leave; I’m dying here.” Bobby groaned.
“Great. Get used to it, because I fully expect to be dropping you off to your high school graduation in
this metallic beast, and you might be lucky enough to get it to drive off to college with it, too.”
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“When you have your own money, job, and family, you can buy whatever car you want, Bobby. Until
then, what I drive is none of your concern.”
“Fine, but could we stop and get some food on the way home?”
“Sorry, this old rust-bucket doesn’t make special stops.” Mom replied tartly as Bobby’s stomach
growled. “Besides, we have plain old dinner at home in our old house on our used dishes.”
“I get it, mom! Sorry!” Bobby said sheepishly. Mom really knew how to make a point.
“Good. I’m glad you understand.” Mother smiled at him in the rearview mirror. “I might have a nice
new peach cobbler in the oven, though.”
Bobby grinned. Maybe he could stand a few old things now and then, so long as he had everything he needed – like dessert.
Use the information in the story to answer the questions below.
1. What is the best reason why doesn’t Bobby like his mom’s car?
A. It’s the wrong color.
B. It’s old.
C. His friends don’t like it.
D. He’s embarrassed to be seen in it, because of what people might think.
2. What does mother think of Bobby’s plea for a different car?
A. She likes the idea of buying a new car. She’ll buy one soon.
B. She would miss her car too much.
C. She wants to get rid of the car soon, but can’t afford it.
D. She is angry that Bobby cares about what other people think.
3. Which is a reason why Bobby’s mom said they would keep the car?
A. Their car is beautiful.
B. Their car is a family heirloom.
C. Their car has been very useful.
D. Their car is actually very valuable.
4. What else does Bobby ask of his mother?
A. He wants new clothes.
B. He wants to get food on the way home.
C. He wants to get a haircut.
D. He wants more allowance.
5. What lesson does Bobby NOT learn?
A. Don’t mess with mom.
B. Don’t worry about appearances.
C. You don’t always need new things, if the old ones work.
D. Don’t ask for anything.
Answer Key
1. What is the best reason why doesn’t Bobby like his mom’s car?
D. He’s embarrassed to be seen in it, because of what people might think.
2. What does mother think of Bobby’s plea for a different car?
D. She is angry that Bobby cares about what other people think.
3. Which is a reason why Bobby’s mom said they would keep the car?
C. Their car has been very useful.
4. What else does Bobby ask of his mother?
B. He wants to get food on the way home.
5. What lesson does Bobby NOT learn?
D. Don’t ask for anything.
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