A New Bicycle

For his twelfth birthday, Sam received a red bicycle from his parents. It was the gift he had wanted for a whole year. The bicycle was bright red with black tires and a small bell on the handle. On the first day, his father took him to the park to practice. Sam was afraid of falling, so his father held the back of the seat and ran beside him. After one hour, Sam could ride slowly by himself. After one week, he could ride fast and turn corners safely. Every morning he now rides his bicycle to school with his best friend. They wear helmets, stop at every crossing, and lock their bicycles near the school gate. On weekends, Sam rides to the library to borrow books, or to his grandmother's house two streets away. His grandmother always gives him juice and biscuits when he arrives. Once Sam fell off because the road was wet, but he wore his helmet and only hurt his knee a little. His father taught him to check the brakes and tires every week. Sam cleans his bicycle every Sunday and says it is his most important possession in the world.