VALUE OF THINGS
Rocky was a sweet boy. But he always wanted to throw his things away whenever they got a little old or damaged. And he would ask his mother to buy him new ones instead.
Rocky: Mom, I don’t want this jacket. The button came off. Please buy me a new one. I also want a new toy car. This one has a scratch. Rocky’s mother felt worried when Rocky behaved this way.
Rocky Mom: Rocky, you can’t throw away your things just because they are slightly damaged. You must learn to love them and care for them. After all, they’ve been yours for so long and have given you a lot of joy. We can always sew another button on the jacket. And paint the car.
But Rocky didn’t listen.
Rocky: No! I don't want them. I want new ones.
He put his old things aside and didn’t care for them anymore.
One day, Rocky saw his mother wearing a red dress. It looked very old. Rocky saw that the dress even had a patch on it.
Rocky: Why is mom wearing that dress? It looks so old.
Rocky decided to ask his mother about the dress.
Rocky: Mom, why are you wearing that dress? It looks so old. You should throw it away and get a new one.
Rocky’s mother smiled.
Rocky Mom: No, Rocky. I love this dress. It’s my favorite one. It’s very special to me. Your daddy bought it for me soon after you were born.
Rocky: Really?
Rocky Mom: Yes, Rocky. And do you know when I wore it for the first time?
Rocky: When Mom?
Rocky Mom: It was on your first birthday!
Rocky: Really?
Rocky Mom: Yes, Rocky. Red was your favorite color when you were a baby. And you felt very happy whenever you saw me in this dress. And you would ask me to carry you each time I wore this dress.
Rocky’s mother told him more about the dress.
Rocky Mom: Rocky, do you know that when you first learned to speak, you would point out to this dress and say ‘RED’.
Rocky: Red! I remember that now!
Rocky's mother showed him pictures of his first birthday party. And he saw how pretty she looked in the red dress.
Rocky: Look at you, mom! You looked so pretty in the dress.
Rocky Mom: And look at you, Rocky. You were so chubby and cute. Just like a teddy bear. And look at how you’re holding my red dress here.
Rocky: Yes!
Rocky began to understand why his mother had kept the dress for so long.
Rocky Mom: Every time I wear this dress, Rocky, I remember all the good times we’ve had together. And it makes me love the dress all the more.
Rocky: I love you, mom! And I love this dress too! Please wear it again. Don’t ever throw it away.
Rocky Mom: I won’t, Rocky!
That day, Rocky learned to love all his clothes and toys no matter how old they were. And if they got a little damaged, Rocky mended them and used them again.
Rocky: My car is as good as new! And I love this jacket. It has always kept me so warm.